Russ Feingold

I am impressed by the support your nomination has received from lawyers who actually served in the last administration.

I see your nomination as a critical opportunity to convey to those partners that there will be no more mixed messages from our government.

Dairy farmers have recently seen the price that they receive drop by 40 to 50 percent.

I find it somewhat ironic that there are commentators and critics out there who oppose your nomination because they feel you have a political agenda.

this is a momentous day for the Senate. We are about to confirm a nominee for Attorney General of the United States who with two short declarative sentences uttered at his confirmation hearing--without caveats, without parsing words…

climate change is a pressing issue for the United States--for our environmental and economic stability; our energy security and independence; and ultimately our national security.

I am concerned that the impacts of climate change will be the harshest on those countries least responsible for and least able to escape its effects.

Addressing the capabilities of the poorest countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change must be a central focus of the upcoming United Nations negotiations.

We cannot afford to continue dragging our feet on global action to address this multifaceted problem.

It is my hope that the incoming national security team, including the DNI, will develop new interagency processes for developing these strategies, while working closely with Congress.

I have identified many of these changes as part of a broader return to the rule of law that I have encouraged the Obama Administration to undertake.

I hope and expect that Admiral Blair will state clearly that he and other officials of the Obama Administration will keep the full congressional intelligence committees fully and currently informed on all intelligence matters, a statutory…

I don't think we'll ever be able to use our resources wisely or effectively.

Let me stress the word 'direct.'

I would prefer, if confirmed, to take a look at what the situation is inside before I sign up for one particular solution to that problem.

It's against the national interest if it isn't that way.

Our obligation is to get the best intelligence, the best reports to policymakers and the executive branch.

Many of these authorities are overbroad, lack sufficient checks and balances, and otherwise fail to protect the privacy and civil liberties of Americans.

Citizen diplomacy--individual Americans working and volunteering overseas--is an incredibly important tool to build relationships and improve our image abroad.

I voted against the legislation then, and I believe now that the DNI was given a tremendous amount of responsibility without the requisite authority to do the job.

We need to get this balance right and get rid of turf issues that keep popping up.

I congratulate Admiral Denny Blair on his nomination to be our Director of National Intelligence.

I think there's a real chance that in this new year we can have a new start.

we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.

The Director of National Intelligence is one of the most important and demanding jobs in Washington.