I want to speak to the underlying legislation that we are debating in the Senate today. I want to acknowledge that, like many of my colleagues in the Senate, I am a descendant of immigrants. Only one generation separates me from a…

forensic science laboratories should be independent of or autonomous within law enforcement agencies.

We must also avoid unintentionally and undeservedly casting doubt on the good work that the vast majority of practitioners perform.

I will say in closing, again, this is not-- the border is 2,000 miles long. This requires 700 miles. So it would be put in those areas where, as the Senator from Alabama noted, it is most needed. With that, I yield the floor and ask, when…

I think we all agree our immigration system is broken and it needs to be fixed. Unfortunately, every time Congress has tried to fix our immigration system, promises of a more secure border are never upheld. The bill we have in front of us…

I say to my colleague from Alabama--and, again, I thank him for his leadership on this issue, both past and present--what we are talking about here is something that is a part of the solution. This is not the totality. This is not the…

Do you agree that the goal of the incentive auction ought to be to maximize net revenues in order to cover the costs of FirstNet, Next Generation 9-1-1, and to reduce the deficit?

I'm firmly committed, as you know from our earlier conversation, to expanding telecommunications opportunities for people in my state.

Do you think that's an acceptable track record? And what do you do--intend to do to improve upon it?

The Communications Act and its enforcer, the FCC, are analog legacies in a digital world.

Regulation designed around 20th century technology and monopoly market structure isn't a perfect tool for dealing with distributed digital networks and multiple service providers.

if I might, I will make a response to the Senator from Louisiana. I understand that there is not going to be a barrier that will be 100 percent effective, but the type of double- layered fencing mandated by the law would be a significant…

I thank the majority leader for trying to work with us in a fashion that will allow us to get to some votes on amendments. We have several amendments pending, one of which is the amendment I have offered, amendment No. 1197. I spoke to…

I also would like to thank the Senator from Colorado for his generosity with his time and for giving me the opportunity to make some remarks. I have an amendment I filed which I do not think we are going to get an opportunity to have…

Public-private partnership and other innovative funding models are especially relevant in today's budget environment.

This hearing exemplifies the spirit of adventure and exploration that has made this country what it is today.

Data from our oceans and coasts is important for protecting lives and property at sea and across the country.

I had hoped to be able to come down today and call up an amendment to the pending legislation, the farm bill. I understand we are not currently on the bill but, rather, in morning business. I hope to have the opportunity to try to get an…

One of the best things that we can do to open new markets would be to successfully conclude the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

I would like to just address one other issue, if I could, and that is the importance of protecting trade secrets in trade agreements, particularly as we look to the EU negotiations.

Thanks, Mr. Chairman.

I rise today to discuss some of the amendments I offered to the 2013 farm bill. First of all, let me start by thanking the chairwoman and the ranking member for their leadership and listening to the voices of the members of the Agriculture…

We in Congress must make jobs and the economy our top priority, and that means we must strive to do what we can to unleash the great American entrepreneurial spirit.

We must craft policies that spur the private sector to take risks, to create jobs, and we must also seek to restrain the government's inclination to intervene in the marketplace.

We have not had a strong Secretary of Commerce in quite a while.