I think in the state of Washington... consumers would be worse if the plan is adopted as currently worded.

There is broad agreement that reform of the universal service fund high cost support mechanism and the inter-carrier compensation system is long overdue.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Right. So, what would you do? Because obviously, having a plan that wouldn't really solve the problem for rural communities----

So, I mean, I'm just asking you, does the plan address it? And if not, should it?

I fully expect that the FCC will have a totally separate program.

I think we would be worse off.

I think it's in the spirit of why I feel strongly that wireless, as part of this equation, needs to be adequately funded.

I know my colleagues here want to join in on the debate that just transpired, but I wanted to take a minute to talk about Senate bill 1542, which passed last night. I know, just as people are frustrated here with everything that is going…

I ask consent to speak as if in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

I rise today to introduce legislation aimed at breaking oil's monopoly over our Nation's transportation system. I would like to thank Senator Lugar for helping develop and agreeing to cosponsor this important bill. The Open Fuels Standard…

I rise today to introduce the San Juan Islands National Conservation Area Act. The San Juan Islands in northwest Washington host some of the most beautiful, serene spots in the world. The San Juans are made up of 172 islands with over 300…

I call up Cantwell amendment No. 595. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The bill clerk read as follows: The Senator from Washington [Ms. Cantwell] proposes an amendment numbered 595.

I ask unanimous consent the reading of the amendment be dispensed with. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment is as follows: (Purpose: To establish a transitional program for covered business method…

simply my amendment restores section 18 of the language that was passed out of the Senate. Basically it implements the Senate language. I come to the floor today with much respect for my colleague Chairman Leahy, who has worked on this…

I encourage my colleagues to support the Cantwell amendment. The Cantwell amendment is the reinstatement of section 18 language as it passed the Senate. So casting a vote for the Cantwell amendment will be consistent with language…

rising in opposition, this is not a patent reform bill, this is a big corporation patent giveaway that tramples on the rights of small inventors. It changes ``first to invent'' to ``first to file,'' which means if you are a big corporation…

I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant legislative clerk called the roll. Mr. PAUL (when his name was called)…

But, thank you for pioneering in this very important area of green aviation fuel.

The success of biofuels for aviation will provide tremendous benefits for generations of Americans in the future.

I think the important thing is, when you get that 100 million gallon facility going, we're looking at a very large opportunity.

approximately 5 percent of aviation jet fuel could come from sustainable low-carbon lifecycle sources by 2020.

We refer to this concept as something other than the silver bullet. We refer to it as silver buckshot.

If we're already doing a SPRO, why not help stabilize prices by having an alternative source that you could be producing?

We don't stand alone. Latin America, the Chinese, essentially the rest of the world is with us in opposing the EU scheme.