It is imperative that we maintain our relationship with critical allies in the Baltic States.

I believe we must support the free press, much like we recently examined with Chairman Royce of the full committee level.

I am also an adamant supporter of NATO and the EU's role in values-based transatlantic relationship.

The citizens of the Baltics, like citizens in the Eastern Europe, are not pieces on a board for foreign policy powers to manipulate and to control.

I am proud that American support helped these three Baltic countries reestablish their independence as communism collapsed in the Soviet Union.

We are talking that their 300,000 troops are a threat, but our NATO 30,000 aren't.

I fought in Afghanistan against Russian troops.

This is not the threat that we faced.

I believe it demonstrates a double standard that will give the Russians a message that we are judging our behavior differently than we are judging yours.

What you are saying is ridiculous. It is not the same as aiming a flight of bombers into the capital areas.

Nationally, there are an estimated 9,330 deaths every year because of air pollution.

Air pollution exacerbates asthma; stunts lung development in children; increases risks for infections; increases risks of heart attacks, strokes, and even premature death.

Respiratory illnesses caused by air pollutions are preventable if we have the proper safeguards in place.

it is true, I should say--that PREPA officials acted recklessly with regard to their management of PREPA's indebtedness, as did Puerto Rico's elected officials.

The passage of PROMESA was the first step to give Puerto Rico relief from their crippling debt.

The Oversight Board was a key component of the PROMESA legislation, and one that I was most concerned with.

But I would caution that making those decisions on the backs of your public employees is not the best recipe for restructuring your debt.

For the Puerto Rican economy to grow, Congress needs to step up and assist the island further.