It's hard enough for American companies to compete already. The Chinese Yuan is 40 percent undervalued.

Before we award this contract, I want to make sure that what we're doing here, Mr. Chairman, doesn't set a precedent for the future.

I think this is something we should be looking at; this is something we should be talking about.

I think all of those suggestions are worthy, but they all reflect the fact that our regulatory system has not kept up...

I would say two of the themes that run throughout our report are first, the focus on science...

In my judgment that sets a different set of obligations that yes, we're interested in having effective regulation, but we ought to also be concerned as the owner of the land for its prudent use.

One, the most significant accident prior to Macondo occurred in Australia.

A use that does not adversely affect our asset. A use that is compatible with other users in the Gulf, particularly the seafood and the tourism industries.

What we need to be moving to is not only an enhanced quantity and quality but also anticipatory research.

If you're going to have effective regulation it needs to be based on the best science.

The sooner you do it, the better off we all are, because if you do it sooner, that means the solutions are not as draconian.

If we are wise, we will take some parts of what you have done, add it with some of our wisdom, if we can muster any, and do something.

There is a moment in time in 2011, before we get into the 2012 cycle too deeply, to find a way to do something meaningful on Social Security that would help our long-term indebtedness.

I really do believe that this is the year for Social Security reform and that the age adjustment from 65 to 67 was accomplished by Tip O'Neill and Ronald Reagan working together.

If we do not deepen the Charleston port, that is the economic engine for the State of South Carolina and for the Southeast.

Can you imagine any scenario where we can save Social Security from impending massive cuts, 30 percent in 2037 or maybe more, or any entitlement program without adjusting the age for eligibility?

So means-testing is not cutting anything. It is paying people what you actually can afford.

I hope the Tea Party will come to Washington and change the whole dynamic that led to this fiscal mess we're in, starting with spending.

it is a week before Christmas. I don't know where we will be next week. All I can say is, the Senate is taking up some very important matters--the don't ask, don't tell repeal. The Marine Corps Commandant said he believes changing this…

I think there is a lot of bipartisan agreement that the United States needs to develop some form of missile defense. We all live in a very dangerous world. The idea of a missile coming from Iran or North Korea or some other rogue nations…

To my friend from Arizona, Senator McCain, are you aware of an effort to repeal the don't ask, don't tell policy, that would allow no Republican amendment, that could be as early as tomorrow or this weekend? I have obviously been heavily…

And I would assume, as part of the Senator's duties, and some of us who have been involved in immigration, we have been very concerned about that, trying to make sure the DREAM Act does not pass this way because we believe it would be bad…

How many efforts have there been since the Wednesday in question dealing with the DREAM Act? How many opportunities have we had to deal with different versions of the DREAM Act that may come before the Senate?

It is my understanding, the majority leader said on the floor of the Senate: Our goal is to try to get out by the 18th because we do not want to be here on Christmas Eve like we were last time. I think that was music to most of our ears…

Thank you. Feelings are getting a bit raw here and there is no use blaming anybody. It is hard to reach a consensus on how to fund the government. There was an effort to do it that fell apart that I thought was against the mandate of the…