John Thune

To tackle the so-called 'digital divide,' we should seek to understand the entire communications experience in rural areas.

If I might, I thank the distinguished ranking member of the Budget Committee for yielding, and I will pose a question to the Senator, if I might. I heard Senator Sessions say earlier and put up a chart which suggested that the term…

I thank my colleague from Missouri. He has a great deal of experience. As he said, we worked together on these issues for a long time. We both recognize the importance of economic growth. We see a budget put before us by the Senate…

Our relationship with China is full of opportunities but full of real challenges.

I am troubled by the administration's lack of commitment regarding a request for Trade Promotion Authority, which expired back in 2007.

Well, I would say the sooner, the better.

Let me ask you another question that deals with the E.U.'s recent decision to impose a 10-percent duty on all imports of ethanol from the United States.

The only way that we are going to be able to maintain that level of income is to open new markets and expand the sale of American-made goods and services.

I want to thank you and Chairman Rockefeller for holding this hearing.

I believe that two other areas are absolutely critical for government and industry to come together to address some pressing needs: first, the construction of a nationwide interoperable public safety network that our first responders are…

I urge the Commissioners to move forward on an aggressive timetable to get this proceeding done.

I have been disappointed by the administration's politically motivated scare tactics on this subject.

The incentive auction is really important. We need to figure out how to free up more spectrum to meet the demand that is out there.

Making sure that our first responders have the spectrum and communication networks that they need to keep us safe is, frankly, an incredibly proud achievement for this committee.

I look forward, along with you and with Senator Coburn and members of both of our committees, to examining the need for a greater cybersecurity partnership between the private sector and the Federal Government.

Many in the private sector are already doing the right things to protect their systems, and should not be diverted from those efforts through new requirements.

Trade secrets developed over thousands of working hours by our brightest minds are stolen in a split second and transferred to our competitors.

I think the one area, although you and I have different positions on the Affordable Care Act, in its passage--one thing that I think we all agree on is that more transparency is a good thing.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this hearing.

That'd be fine, yes, thank you.

Mr. Chairman, thank you.

I think it's going to be a problem, too, as we settle into--I mean, in effect, it was last year--October 31, I think--when the Affordable Care Act actually went into business, became operational.

How do you take into consideration regional differences, in the disclosure process?

But, I suspect that there will be a period, probably of a decade or so, where we will be adjusting this bill according to, you know, common sense and reasonableness, while still driving toward the purpose of transparency.

I applaud your dedication to these issues.