There is no doubt that the U.S. companies would benefit from business with Cuban airlines.

I want to express my strong support for Peace Colombia.

War forces our will on an opponent or through military means to reach a political objective.

I'm very pleased that this subcommittee was able to provide the largest ever appropriation for facilities construction and maintenance programs in fiscal year 2018.

I'm perplexed by the decision in this budget to cut funding from the Indian Health Professions Program by 12 percent.

And let me just emphasize what was said earlier. You know, last year we all requested this information when it came to these Medicaid cuts and the impact repealing the Affordable Care Act would have.

Now, this subcommittee nearly doubled funding for sanitation facilities construction in the recent omnibus.

I think it's important for you and your team to educate them on how the Indian Health Service has really been lifted up by the Affordable Care Act.

I need, and the Tribes are rightfully demanding, more assurances that the administration understands the Federal Government's unique trust relationship with American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

some administrations have stepped forward with 5-year plans to wipe out backlogs

I think the reality is that this quality of care--and I wouldn't call it quality, I would say it's a shameful quality of care--has gone on for far too long.

Medicaid is not a substitute for full funding for IHS, but until we can address funding shortfalls in the Service, Medicaid is one of the most important stopgaps we have.

I know that this funding is very important for Alaska Native villages in the Chairwoman's State.

And I would just emphasize again, I mean, I've heard from many of my Tribes, and I would just add--like to add several letters from my pueblos to the record, Madam Chair.

I can't emphasize enough how important it is to address any remaining issues at the Gallup Indian Medical Center and address them promptly and completely.

As one pueblo leader recently reminded me, community health representatives come from the communities they serve, which means that they have the necessary cultural understanding to identify and respond to their members.

Should CMS identify additional deficiencies, how will you pay for the needed improvements?