Of course, they're trying to say that it's cheaper to operate in Oregon, ignoring the long-term costs that you have clearly stated in the RFP as it relates to proximity.

These are cultural barriers within organizations that have to be broken down.

Taxpayers deserve better, and I intend to make sure that NOAA, the Department of Commerce, and the Federal Government are held to this high standard.

I think you'll find that the same issues of why those recommendations weren't implemented will be the same reasons why these won't be followed up on.

I think all politics are local, and you can see that the economic impact that NOAA has on communities around our country are real.

Now I'd like to turn it over to Senator Snowe for her opening statement.

People underestimate what our ocean's economy really does mean to our U.S. economy.

the Agency has basically twisted the definition of capital investment, basically to evade oversight.

Again, I think that NOAA is playing with the information at a hearing, which is just astounding to me.

all 25 members of the region's current congressional delegations (House and Senate, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Republican and Democrat) are on record as supporting the authorization of the Trail

The Fiscal Year 2011 budget request for NOAA, while a step in the right direction, falls far short of the funding necessary.

Climate change, ocean acidification, sea level rise, pollution, and overfishing threaten the health of our oceans and coastal communities, and with them, our economy.

I want to ask you about why NOAA didn't consider long-term costs as part of, you know, the indirect and long-term cost of such a facility?

If the Administration continues to propose inadequate funding for NOAA, we are at risk of losing much as a nation.

I wanted to ask you about that, because in the same day that you say that there hasn't been a decision, in the newspaper a NOAA official said that other sites were not practical alternatives.

I find that devastating. And, it's a direct connection. We need to make the investments necessary to get accurate stock assessments.

In my State, there is a law pending, in the Washington legislature, as a result of Toyota's refusal.

Senator Cantwell asked that Toyota follow up with the Senator's constituent, Mr. Eves, regarding his requests for access to EDR data.

part of our disappointment is because of the reputation you have for being such an excellent purveyor of quality cars.

I think this is an issue for us to continue on and look at and investigate.

Toyota has built a reputation in America for its quality, safety, and reliability.

When Toyota became aware of the 2004 NHTSA data that indicated a possible problem with sudden unintended acceleration of some of its vehicles, someone in the management should have pulled the andon cord.

all 25 members of the region's current congressional delegations ... are on record as supporting the authorization of the Trail

And I think that is why we want to get started because we know it takes a long time.

I rise to speak on the vote we had earlier on the nomination of Ben Bernanke to be the Federal Reserve Chairman. While I did not support Mr. Bernanke's reconfirmation to that post, I would like to take the time now to talk about that vote…