I appreciate the hearing. I think it's a good discussion.

I want to do whatever I can to create an environment where a utility can make that decision, if it's possible to extend the license and do it safely.

I think we want to make sure that if we're going to have something that our kids and grandkids and generations and generations from now can deal with, it's got to work.

Now, Senator Feinstein and Secretary Moniz, the vote is well underway, and there are two votes.

Without a more focused government effort, we will not sustain our vital nuclear industry and control nuclear proliferation.

My suspicion is that the major source of electricity that will benefit from improved storage will be nuclear.

my hope is that by restoring responsibility to the States and classroom teachers, it inaugurates a new era of innovation and excellence in student achievement.

I wanted to let States have the option to take most of their Federal dollars and turn them into scholarships for low-income children.

We did not want the U.S. Department of Education defining for States what their academic standards were to be, period.

Am I correct that two major goals of the Act were from the beginning to allow each State maximum flexibility in developing child care programs and to promote parental choice to empower working parents to make their own decisions regarding…

I want to thank Richard Burr and Barbara Mikulski for effective work on behalf of millions of American families.

The Child Care Development Block Grant is one of the real success stories for our government.

I was the United States Education Secretary when this law was passed 25 years ago, and there was a lot of pride in it because it represented an important compromise.

As Senator Alexander already mentioned, since the Nation's teacher salary system is primarily based on years of experience and advanced education, schools with older, higher paid staff compared to younger, less higher paid staff would…

I think we should double the amount of money we spend on energy research from $5 billion to $10 billion as rapidly as we can.

Wouldn't that be a better use of our money?

I strongly believe this proposal lacks adequate economic analysis, and I was alarmed when the Office of Advocacy submitted comments that sharply criticized the manner in which the DOL crafted the proposal.

I hope our conversation today will also touch on the impact the rule will have on small nonprofit organizations.

My colleague and Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Lamar Alexander, found that the new rule would increase operating costs for at least one Tennessee college by more than $1 million annually.

After hearing from many concerned workers and business owners, I urged Secretary Perez to extend the public comment period to allow small business owners and employees the opportunity to examine the proposed rule and comment carefully.

I urge this committee to do the same for the agencies under your jurisdiction.

Thank you, Senator Blunt.

We gave you more flexibility to make alliances like the Google-Vanderbilt alliance that the President announced not long ago.

I've tried to come up with a way to do that in the Senate.

Senator Alexander. You just think they are wrong.