Jeanne Shaheen

One of the reasons for holding this hearing is to hopefully bring some more momentum to passage of this legislation, which I believe and I think most of the Senators who were here today believe is very important.

We should think about how we can set the bar high in terms of expectations for those actions.

This is an extremely important measure that Congress needs to pass as quickly as possible.

It would send a very powerful signal to the Russian people that the United States is stepping up its willingness to invest in their future.

We'll continue to demonstrate our support, not for particular candidates or electoral outcomes, but for a process that is more open and genuine.

I think that the curtain has gone up on a new act right now since last weekend's elections.

Our role is as a supporting actor in this. The Russians are the leading actors in this drama.

I think I certainly have had a perception, that I think is shared by many, that President Medvedev has been easier to deal with in terms of human rights concerns.

There have been some who have indicated that they don't believe that the administration has been forceful enough in calling attention to what happened in Russia and in supporting the protesters.

Nobody familiar with democracy believes that that's a real number.

It's critical for the United States to stand behind these protesters and it's important that they know that we hear what they're doing and support their right to demonstrate.

Prime Minister Putin's assertion that the funds that the United States and other donors provide to civil society groups constitute unwarranted interference in Russia's internal affairs is a tiresome cliche, a well-worn canard, and without…

The United States cannot make Russia respect human rights and we cannot build democracy in Russia.

We expect to continue our successful approach of cooperating with Russia when it is in our interests.

That's why we all get concerned about this, is that there are so many Sergei Magnitsky's that are out there.

We think that is something we should all be doing. And I applaud the administration for taking action under the authority that they have.

The bill that I filed on behalf of many of my colleagues makes it clear that if you violate basic human rights, don't ask for the privilege to visit the United States.

The legislation, named in his honor, would blacklist any Russian believed to be responsible for major human rights violations from receiving a visa to travel to the United States.

A strong, successful, and transparent Russia that protects the rights of its citizens is squarely in the interests of the United States and the entire international community.

Good morning, everyone. We're going to try and begin right on time because we have votes scheduled.

Thank you. Again, I know several of you have planes to catch. While we could go on much longer, and because it's a fascinating topic, and obviously, one that we need to pay more attention to.

Do you feel like you have adequate data? Do you also have adequate ways to either regulate or incentivize compliance with those----

In mentioning both droughts and--and the flooding that we've seen in the West are a product of natural variability, and we've had to deal with that.

One of the things that many of you have mentioned is the effect of climate change and these increasing weather emergencies on our water systems and our water supply.

It's largely, as you know, Senator, people in rural communities, with a dependence on local wells, where those wells are not monitored, they're not protected, they're vulnerable to the kinds of non-point source problems that we've been…