Ron Wyden

That, obviously, is a skill in short supply here in the Nation's capitol, if you look at the events of the last couple of months.

We join our Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake in support of this important legislation and respectfully ask for your support.

I think you're probably aware that last week the entire Northwest delegation, 23 members, Senators and House members, sent a letter to you all, to Dr. Moniz, trying to make it clear that we feel very strongly that this problem of…

I strongly support Dr. Croley's nomination and confirmation as well as our other 2 nominees.

My message to the Department is speed it up because we are very interested in getting this issue resolved.

At what point in time do you believe that the NERA study is going to be out of date and not an adequate basis for making judgments about export permits?

I recommend her swift confirmation so the next, promising chapter in territorial-Federal relations can begin.

The Medicare prescription drug program has been a godsend to millions of seniors by offering life-saving medicine, and it has cost 30 percent less than the Congressional Budget Office had predicted.

Madam Secretary, at community meetings at home, Oregonians tell me to do everything I can to stop what they see as ridiculous, petty bickering here in Washington and help get results by working cooperatively.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Yes, the House Members who said they would vote for it, it sure looks as though the votes are there. And if they are trying to break the gridlock, why not try? So I hope that kind of thinking will set in here in the next few hours because…

It is. And what I was struck by over the weekend with respect to those comments is, why not at least try that? If we add up all the Members on both sides of the aisle who said they would vote, for whatever----

It was there for the doing. I remember coming to the floor and asking unanimous consent to go to conference. I knew there had been some conferencing. But there was an immediate objection. At that time I pointed out that Republican and…

It is. And I am sure the Senator was involved in this as well, where, after all these years about hearing that the Senate hadn't passed a budget, we stayed up one night until the wee hours and passed a budget. We had scores of votes. Then…

Again, the Senator is right, because in Alaska, like Oregon, there is an extraordinary level of Federal ownership. In my State the Federal Government owns more than half of the land. The Senator is absolutely correct. With the shutdown…

I say to the Senator, we know for certain that 10,000 individuals have been furloughed at the Bureau of Land Management. And I tried to describe particularly getting these new permits. I guess if we are already out there with…

I thank my friend from Connecticut for his help in crafting this bill and I appreciate that he has taken the time to raise this issue. One of the primary goals in drafting this legislation was to ensure stability of supply. The Senator is…

When the Senator--who was good enough to yield me time-- has completed with Senator Sessions and colleagues to whom he may wish to yield, I will then propound that unanimous consent request. I don't anticipate any objection. Colleagues…

In a State like Alaska, with over 60 percent of its lands under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, it is clear this is a matter of great importance.

This topic is of great importance to her constituents.

I'm particularly pleased that Senator Murkowski asked that we hold this hearing.

Let me wrap up with one last question to get a sense of the Senator's intent. My sense is the Senator is very open, as is Senator Portman, that there will be votes. I see our colleagues on the floor who have also been here since Wednesday…

How many years has the Senator from New Hampshire been involved in this legislation? Because I can recall the various iterations that she and Senator Portman offered, and then she worked with various groups, business organizations and…

I think tapping the potential of natural gas is a winner for this country.

What Senator Murkowski and I have dedicated our service in this committee to be all about is sort of ratcheting this kind of stuff down.