I hope going forward that we rely on your recommendations, as opposed to--it is one of the reasons that when I ran this past fall, I decided to swear off earmarks.

I want to thank the chairman and the ranking member, Senator Wicker, again because I raised the issue.

I was surprised to learn that the Navy plans to place 6 ships of the 3-squadron, 16-ship total MPF for the Marine Corps into reduced operating status beginning in fiscal year 2013.

There is a gap in the modernization of our shipyards in terms of the backlog there.

At the end of the day really where I'd like to be is, how do we avoid this from happening again?

I interpret these Navy decisions as a reaffirmation and a validation of the importance of the Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF).

The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is a very important public shipyard in our country.

I think what we're all trying to figure out is how we can avoid this.

I very much appreciate what you're saying. We would love to have you up to our State to take a look at it.

I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: S. 982 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives…

nearly 10 years after the September 11 terrorist attacks, our country remains at war with violent extremists who want to kill Americans. Yet the administration has not designated a secure location for detaining, interrogating, and trying…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Udall of New Mexico). Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from New Hampshire is recognized.