Heidi Heitkamp

Building on what Senator Franken discussed, I think we would all like to see that because we are all in this process of trying to figure out what is the new dynamic, where have we failed so spectacularly when you look at the numbers in…

I think that we should play a role in prioritizing some of the retrospective review.

What we are trying to do is figure out how we can collaborate to make government more responsive.

I think that is kind of silly, weekly reporting on your wages when you are not paying any wages.

This common-sense and bipartisan bill requires Federal agencies to include, as a part of every proposed and final major rule, a framework to do retrospective review.

I guess I am not asking you to kind of justify where you are.

Sometimes we are penny-wise and pound-foolish.

I think the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) would be a great example there where regulation in some States would be either more stringent than what you provide

A key goal of mine today is to closely examine how retrospective review is working right now.

We promise we are the nice Committee, me and Lankford.

But I would point out, look at USDA. When did we pass the Farm Bill?

One of the issues that I have raised over and over and over again here is that we sit thinking that only the Federal Government actually regulates or passes laws

I think that is a critical piece, because I was encouraged when Senator Booker talked about how the Delegate was actually working with his office to improve it.

I think my point is that where I have heard just wonderful testimony and great stories... we are respectful of whatever local governance you do have.

One of the issues we heard so often during this debate has been that the private sector will step in, that the private sector will take on this responsibility, that we don't need to have the Export-Import Bank, that the private sector will…

As we prepare for our national defense, we cannot do this without preparing for an international defense.

I think it is something that I think gets ignored, to our peril, and having such high level analysis and bipartisan analysis, I think, is hugely helpful.

I think it is one of the problems that we have with the Federal Government across the board, which is one-size-fits-all.

For people who do not know, Portal is much more remote.

The pay system just was not flexible enough to accommodate and remain competitive with the private sector.

I just want to mention something in this context.

We are going to continue to beat this drum.

I mean, I think the fact that there is not, here, plug it in, this is the need, let us make sure that this happens.

I have been fighting to address these challenges that have been faced by the Federal workforce in the Bakken region.

I think to Senator Lankford, Chairman Lankford's point, how do we get more agencies to get ahead of it and then make this a priority as they are looking at the workforce?