Thank you, Chairman Dodd.

But when the overall net effect--you can talk about it is not like we are losing jobs in paper, we are losing jobs in chemicals, we are losing jobs in steel, we are losing jobs in aluminum, we are losing jobs in glass and we are picking it…

For most of our nation's history manufacturing, transportation, and agriculture were the engines driving our economy.

I am hopeful that we can move on this nomination very, very quickly.

I want to commend the President for moving this--it will probably be national news, but I do want to commend the President--that was a joke.

I offer my congratulations to her and her family and all of those who are here to share this special day with her.

I have met with her. I have done my due diligence. I have spoken with many of my former colleagues and folks that I practiced with when I was a practicing member of the bar and they all spoke very highly of her.

Your leadership, particularly with the introduction of the Claims Processing Improvement Act of 2010, illustrates the commitment needed to end this ongoing injustice.

Madam President, it is, I believe, day 42 since 41 Members of the Senate have blocked us through filibuster, through obstructionism, through threat of tying up the Senate and shutting it down basically so that we have not been able to…

I think it should be tied for first with 49 other States.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for up to 10 minutes as in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

We can't allow a system that has the amount you get paid dependent on what State you live in.