We are working steadily, thoughtfully, and efficiently with NASA to yield the safest and most reliable astronaut transportation system that the world has ever seen.

However, since 2011, the United States has depended entirely on Russia to transport our astronauts to the International Space Station.

Mr. Gerstenmaier, we are currently paying Russia $76 million for a Soyuz seat to the ISS, which has historically increased nine percent per year.

I truly believe that we can come together to address these concerns in a constructive, bipartisan way so that we can once again launch American astronauts on American rockets from American soil.

I am very pleased to join my friend in introducing legislation celebrating Black History Month. This opportunity provides us with an excuse, if we need one, to remember the challenges and the failures of the past, and the embarrassments…

It is absolutely imperative that we understand the gravity of what it means to carry our astronauts into space.

Congress and the American people deserve to have answers to the questions posed by ASAP.

Together, we will fix this, and in only a few more years we will be launching once again Americans, on American rockets, from American soil.

It should be a top priority to launch American astronauts on American rockets from America soil as soon as is safely possible.

Unfortunately, as we meet today to discuss recommendations for DHS, Republicans in the House continue to put partisan politics and pandering to their fringe ahead of funding the Department responsible for keeping the homeland secure.

I look forward to seeing this subcommittee, with you and Ranking Member Watson Coleman at the helm, conduct vigilant and bipartisan oversight of the Department of Homeland Security.

Information sharing in the intelligence community is an evolving puzzle of pieces.

The Honorable Bennie G. Thompson, a Representative in Congress From the State of Mississippi, and Ranking Member, Committee on Homeland Security:

the Senate Appropriations Committee has adopted rules governing its procedures for the 114th Congress. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 2, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, on behalf of myself and Vice Chairwoman Mikulski, I ask…

Since the 9/11 attacks, both Congress and the Executive branch have addressed the systematic problems caused by both the failure to analyze and the failure to share information.

We appreciate very much your assistance in helping us identify the priorities of NASA and related activities.

Information sharing is critical to our Nation's security.

I hope that we are doing everything that we can, as Members of Congress, to provide your agency, as well as others with the resources to counter this threat.