I do believe that we can reach a resolution of the issue that not only fixes the problem but is also politically tenable in the current fiscally constrained environment.

I think everyone who looks at the challenge and Senator Murkowski and I talked about it a number of times over the years, knows that the Prevention Fund is getting shorted.

I said, when I had the honor of chairing the Finance Committee, that things would be in very good hands with Chair Landrieu and Senator Murkowski.

I think we would all agree that what we have to do here is we've got to stop the fire borrowing.

first of all let me thank you and Senator Murkowski for all of the efforts that you've made with me through this Congress, our O and C legislation, which, of course, is a huge priority, the fire issue.

the way health care in America is delivered has to change.

I expressed shock that advertising children online does not seem to violate any Federal laws.

a gaping hole that allows children to be placed in unsafe situations with dangerous and sometimes life-threatening outcomes.

reserving the right to object. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oregon.

as the chairman of the Finance Committee, which oversees the IRS, I have a question as to whether bringing in a special prosecutor would be a good use of taxpayer money in this case. I am going to spend a few minutes laying out what is…

Each of these nominees brings years of experience and skills that will be essential if they take on these new roles.

Ironically, Russia recently announced that they would pursue a WTO case against the United States while our administration refuses to act.

Hey, Ron, why are you talking about a new agreement before you enforce the laws that are already on the books with respect to the existing trade agreements?

That is why a more effective enforcement authority is needed.

Without strong enforcement, no trade deal old or new is able to live up to its potential for jobs and economic growth.

I am similarly disappointed when it comes to the administration's enforcement of intellectual property rights abroad.

I remain disappointed in the Obama administration's failure to bring a single case against Russia since they joined the WTO.

American trade enforcement, in short, needs to be brought into the 21st century.

All trade commitments and all agreements have to be enforced with the same vigor.

I am determined to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle on a bipartisan basis to get this right.

Colleagues, the incentives are out of whack, and, on a bipartisan basis, we can change that.

My view is, it is long past time to drain this swamp.

For education to be the great equalizer in our society, access to higher education cannot be unequal.

We ought to come together and get it done.

The crazy quilt of tax benefits and aid programs on the books today does not get that job done.