Sheldon Whitehouse actually said...

"Voting to confirm an individual to the Federal bench is one of the most important and lasting decisions that a Senator can make."

"I want to thank Senator Cardin for scheduling this hearing to discuss legislation relevant to this Committee."

"At a time when Federal funding is difficult to come by and our coastal ecosystems are under stress from chemical and nutrient pollution, marine debris, energy extraction, overfishing, overdevelopment,..."

"By restoring wetlands we also protect a variety of species, including migratory birds, that depend on these at risk ecosystems."