Joe Manchin: “I want to thank you, Madam Secretary, and your staff for being so accommodating and forthright with us and coming before…”

If we don't do permitting, and we don't have permitting reform in America, we're not going to meet the challenges and be energy-independent.

My observation, and recommendation from observation, would be, John, trust me, set yourself free and become an independent.

You did not elect the comforter in chief. You elected a basically commander in chief, and he's hit the ground running.

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 12; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be…