I think that the States could usefully play a bigger role.

These are so important and it's just great to have a chance to be with you.

I want to publicly thank Senator Ron Wyden for his time today and for introducing this important piece of legislation

I think this has certainly been a step in the right direction.

I'm hopeful that we can extricate Hermiston today and get this project approved.

I'm hoping that it can get the green light to proceed.

I just think that is a prescription for trouble.

I want to walk through a situation--Ms. LaFleur, you and I have talked about it--that will help us address the question of how to get the States a bigger role in key parts of this debate.

today, my colleague Senator Thune and I are introducing a piece of legislation that will correct a flaw in the Native American Housing and Self-Determination Act of 1996, NAHASDA, that could leave some disabled Native American Veterans…

The Senator is absolutely right about the fact that 80 secret holds is clearly not what Senator Grassley and I and reformers thought would happen. Given all these secret holds, you would think at the back of the Executive Calendar--which…

It is no secret Americans are divided on a host of issues. Well, if the Senate insists on doing so much important business in secret--which is what happens if you honor these secret holds--I think that just undermines the institution.

Or I think there might be a third option, of course, which is to lift the hold. But the Senator has done a very careful and thoughtful analysis of the situation and particularly this situation of what Senator Grassley and I came to call…

I think this is right at that intersection.

One additional point, is it the Senator's sense, because we have talked about this often as we have been watching the spectacle of all these secret holds, that the central problem is it is triggered too late and it takes too long to kick…

I personally believe it continues to be abused and flagrantly so. At a time when the American people are looking at these challenging economic circumstances, they deserve a government that is truly open, truly accountable, and truly…

When Willy Sutton was asked why he robbed the bank, he said: That's where the money is. Secret holds are where the power is. Senator Grassley and I have outlined the enormous effect a secret hold can have on a piece of legislation but…

First, let me tell the Senator from Iowa how much I have enjoyed working with him on this. We have had, as incredible as it sounds, a 10-year campaign to try to end secrecy in the Senate, just so people know a little bit about it. I always…

And with respect to transparency, what he and I have focused on all these years, people asked: Are you trying to abolish a hold? I think he and I have said we believe Senators ought to have a right to weigh in on something important. But…

Strikes me, that's where you ought to start the revolution, to really start, you know, bold fashion, to get these products out on the playing field.

I'm of the view that Congress and the Federal Communications Commission ought to deploy significant public resources to deliver broadband to areas where the private market has not yet been able to deliver the service.

the benefits of these technologies, both in terms of cost savings and quality of life, are clear.

I think, for purposes of this afternoon and the lateness of the hour, one of the questions I'd like to ask all three of you is,--it seems to me that right at the heart of what needs to be done is to change this embedded, outdated…

Broadband access is essential for modern healthcare delivery.

Thank all of you for your patience, again. My apologies. We're going to be working very closely with you.

Longer term, Senator Wyden, I think you're right onto something.