I ask unanimous consent that Shawn Moylan, a fellow on my staff, be granted floor privileges for the remainder of this session. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

we have to make sure that the university stands behind the victims

The strength of any organization is dependent on the people within that organization.

it's important that we address this so it never happens again

Like most technologies, being first is a significant competitive advantage. But I understand, with artificial intelligence, it is beyond a significant competitive advantage. It may be everything, in a lot of ways.

Thank you to the four of you for offering just an incredibly powerful, compelling testimony that I think everyone should hear.

It is important to celebrate them and it is important to make sure that they are a part of the decisionmaking process.

I think I'm certainly going to take to heart the incredible testimony that I received from all four of you.

Well, as you mentioned, we have language for a National Center of Expertise for freshwater oil spill cleanup in the Coast Guard reauthorization bill.

That seems to me unacceptable to get the equipment up there.

It's always good to follow my friend Senator Sullivan, who I know reminded you of the coastline of Alaska. So I'm going to certainly remind you that second to Alaska is the state of Michigan in terms of the amount of coastline we have.

Your states certainly have endured some pretty tough storms, and you both have been real leaders in trying to improve our preparedness and resilience to these storms.

our Nation's middle class was built by the hard work of American workers. At a time when our country has become increasingly polarized, we should all be able to agree that everybody should have a fair chance to succeed if they are willing…

So I would like those answers today. Is it possible to get those today, those answers?

It would be my belief that the Coast Guard would want to know, is that correct? You'd want to know exactly what's happening?

I certainly stressed that it was a top priority of mine, and I asked for his personal commitment to focus on this issue as well.

So we're 11 days into this investigation and we still don't have any visual confirmation of the damage, is that correct? Do you know?

But someone at the Coast Guard would have that information?

So you're the lead in the unified command. But, so please explain to me why the Coast Guard would defer to the State's judgment to reopen Line 5 in advance of any visual underwater inspection?

the threat of an oil spill from Line 5 is exactly why I have worked in this Committee with the help of my colleagues to pass some improved pipeline safety regulation, and we need to do more.

A lot of people in Michigan are asking questions. Folks are very concerned.

ensuring accountability and efficient use of taxpayer dollars must always be our top priority.

So we have expanded the bill. Was that a good idea, just to put the pedal to the metal and keep going?

I am certainly very encouraged, we all should be encouraged by the innovative nature of this program.

when an economy is strong and when an economy is at full employment... that is a time when you should start paying down debt.