I think there are opportunities to do that as well.

I do worry about small businesses getting squeezed out of this environment.

It is really vital that we maintain an environment where small businesses can thrive.

This is an incredibly important position, and we are going to be looking for your leadership every day dealing with what is perhaps our No. 1 national security threat, which are these cyber attacks.

Well, one thing that I see this doing, too--and I would like your thoughts on it--is that it makes an already interesting job even more interesting at a time when we want to retain these professionals in Federal service.

I think that is very troubling. It is something that I hope this Committee will be able to address.

We have to have a whole-of-government approach. Yet the 'whole of government' is in all these discrete areas, do not talk to each other like they should.

We need to work more on this, because this is a fundamental question for us to deal with.

I want to touch briefly on an effort that I am working on with my colleague Senator Hoeven.

We may be playing into Russia's hands, quite honestly. They are achieving exactly what they wanted to achieve, to all of a sudden call into question the legitimacy of the election.

I serve on that Committee, and we discussed the need to secure the Internet of things at the hearing.

Over 90 percent of the volume of overseas trade enters or leaves the United States by ship.

Waterborne cargo contributes nearly $650 billion annually to the U.S. GDP and sustains more than 13 million jobs.

Senator Fischer and I are glad to partner with you in this year's MARAD reauthorization bill.

I hope a key part of your position is to make sure that the Seaway is competitive and that we can increase trade into the heartland of America through the Great Lakes.

I am also honored to serve on the Board of the Merchant Marine Academy.

The U.S. Maritime Transportation System sustains and empowers our national economy.

Our economy and our military rely on the work of the men and women of the Merchant Marine.

It is essential that we provide a safe learning environment, one that is free from harassment and sexual assault.

I look forward to hearing today what more we can do to rehabilitate and sustain our aging infrastructure.

Michigan has 38 deep water ports and ranks first in the Great Lake states in maritime tonnage.

Maritime commerce on the Seaway system provides shippers with nearly $4 billion in annual cost savings.

My understanding is that it does require legislation to be able to move between these agencies.

The idea behind this bill is that the Federal Government as a major purchaser of Internet-connected devices will lead the way on Internet of things security.

I rise today to express my concern about the nomination of Congressman Jim Bridenstine to be the NASA Administrator. I will oppose his confirmation when the Senate votes this afternoon. While the nomination is problematic due to…