This is unimaginable to me based on where this Academy has been historically in terms of academic achievement.

I think what I heard you say with regard to Senator Nelson's question is if we're going to make a major change, as has been proposed, then there needs to be a national consensus on that and that there needs to be more of a national…

I want to encourage you to continue efforts to ensure the integrity of this critical training program for our future Merchant Marine mariners.

I think you'll be confirmed with a nice bipartisan vote. And I think we'll be consulting and collaborating with you on a wide variety of issues because you have quite a bit of jurisdiction.

a vitally important part of our maritime industry is the Jones Act, which this Committee has jurisdiction over.

As regrettable and reprehensible as the hacking of political parties is, I do think Senator Nelson has touched on really the larger issue which really is the subject matter of this hearing and that is what the real threats are.

I have four requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. Pursuant to Rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees…

I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Pennsylvania.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess, following the remarks of Senator Casey, until 2:15 p.m. today. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered.

before the distinguished Senator from Washington moves on to her other duties, I want to commend her and Senator Alexander for the outstanding job they have done and for the long hours she and her colleagues on the HELP Committee have put…

I come to the floor to express my support for the ECHO Act, which the Senate will be voting on in approximately 1 hour. This represents bipartisan work--another bipartisan achievement during this very productive term of Congress. In this…

I do think that's----

I spoke to a Democratic colleague of mine today. I've been calling for a no-fly zone to stop the barrel bombing, and I asked this colleague of mine on the other side of the aisle if he would support that. He said, 'Yes.'

What about the option of controlling the airspace so that barrel bombs cannot be dropped?

I realize I am a bit over my time, but I think it would be important for us to hear.

I hope we can avoid it.

I for one concur in your conclusion there, sir.

It's disappointing to me that we have to have a hearing to get a letter back on something that over a quarter of this body asked about.

I think this committee has worked on a bipartisan basis, and I have the highest regard for the Chairman and the Ranking Member.

I feel that I have to defend the Commissioner in that what he said is factual.

the Senator makes an excellent point about the tremendous cost increases that American taxpayers and American medical consumers have experienced, as well as the number of insurers that are just leaving the scheme altogether. So Americans…

I would just observe--and there may be others who wish to speak in the very short time we have--I would just observe that we have a bill before us that gives the administration what they have been requesting, that gives our friends on the…

I was disappointed to hear the Senator say that he believes the Democrats will come in and once again block this funding this afternoon. If that happens, when will be the next opportunity that this body will have to vote on this vital…

Surely the solution to the encryption problem is not a technological arms race. It is, in my opinion, Federal legislation.

However, Commerce later softened the sanctions against ZTE...