Sheldon Whitehouse

But clearly, there are two roles you have. You have a role to comply with the law, you also have a role to advocate as to what the law should be.

If EPA gets wounded in its ability to protect the Clean Air Act, I have a real problem on my hands.

We have had a lot of discussion around the Clean Air Act on the costs of compliance with the Clean Air Act.

I think we hear relentlessly in this building from the polluting side.

We had a witness from Rhode Island at that table a week ago describing the asthma problem in Rhode Island.

I think that is pretty good business for the United States of America to be involved in.

So there are not air pollution effects from air pollution levels observed today? That is your testimony?

Kids have no money, and they don't vote.

But they are supported by the science, they are supported by public health.

The polluting industries are always heard loud and clear in this town.

I think it is important that we have a hearing like this where the perspective of children can be heard.

We need to focus on trying to restart the American economy and get job growth going.

As Senator Barrasso's chart shows, poverty is the most significant negative impact on children's overall health.

I am honored to be in their company today and, again, very much appreciate your service.

I very much appreciate your service to our veterans through the work of this Committee.

He is a very good lawyer, he has been a great U.S. Attorney, and I look forward to his smooth confirmation.

But I just wanted to add a particular word of how immensely proud I am of what you have accomplished out of this tragedy.

It is part of my job to bring the experience and wisdom of Rhode Island down to Washington and try to improve things there.

And that would be equally true whether the bullying was simply verbal versus physical. It connects nonetheless.

When will this bullying come to an end? What is it that we have to do to get the point across that this is not acceptable?

Before they get into a relationship, the skills are laid down.

VAWA was not only the right thing to do, it has also proven to be fiscally sound legislation.

The Violence Against Women Act has unquestionably improved the national response to domestic and sexual violence.

It is really extraordinary what you have accomplished. You took the worst nightmare that every parent dreads more than anything else and you turned the terrible energy of that into such a powerful force for good.

Today's hearing is an important step towards learning how to better protect our Nation's teens from violence.