Ron Wyden

I talked a bit with you about particularly expanding exports, expanding exports of wind turbines, solar panels, and renewable energy products around the world.

So you will commit this morning to doing this and moving this up as a priority for these credits, 48(c), without the Congress having to move with legislation?

It seems that every four years, when we have jurisdictions around the country having substantial problems in protecting the franchise and empowering the voters, we end up spending more Federal money on broken systems.

Senator Wyden's approach is creative and a common sense way to give all voters across the country access to the convenience of voting by mail in a very 'take it easy' approach.

Vote by mail is secure.

In January of 1996, when I was chosen Oregon's first new United States Senator in almost 30 years, we had 66 percent turnout, Mr. Chairman.

I think good government is in the Oregon chromosomes. It is why we participate so extensively in government.

The beauty of Senator Wyden's bill is it doesn't force the States to do vote by mail.

But we have a 30-year successful history, and that is why I feel comfortable about coming before you and arguing that it ought to be expanded.

This wouldn't force anyone to vote by mail, nor does it require States to implement new voting systems.

But, constitutionally, I do not think there is anything we can do to prevent them from doing it.

We don't take a back seat to anybody on this question of ballot integrity.

The penalties for voter fraud are severe.

Mr. Chairman, I would also like to submit for the record, we have put together--our State officials put together a history of vote by mail.

So we have very substantial penalties--it is a felony if you sign somebody else's name to the ballot.

My sense is that the intelligence community does a good job collecting intelligence but has a harder time integrating it and analyzing it.

I think there have been a number of weapons systems that Secretary Gates, for example, has been on something of a crusade to try to say no longer meets the rigorous tests of being cost-effective.

This is our biggest effort. It is going to cost a lot of money, and this is an 11th-hour objection.

We want a system that promotes sensible renewable energy development and addresses our very obvious national security needs.

I think this country is falling in love with streetcars.

I appreciate that, because what I like so much about what the Adminstration is trying to do on this transportation issue is to put more tools in the tool box.

What I like about that is it sends a message, again, of certainty and predictability, that there is strong support for that.

What I wanted to do was to make sure, as I say, jurisdictions small and large would have more tools in their tool box, and I think we have been able to do that.

I am anxious to work with you and Secretary Gates in that area, because that image of the bad guys in effect...

I want to express my appreciation, first of all, to the Director for the support in the budget for management and also restoration of forestry.