Twenty percent of New Mexicans live in poverty, 28 percent of New Mexico children live in poverty, second highest in the Nation.

In my view, this designation presents the Committee with an opportunity.

You and I have been talking for a long time about doing a hearing like this.

It is a framework that can modify and morph over time specific to the needs, a living document, but with five priorities in place, it is a good framework.

I signed a letter to President Trump urging him to exempt Indian programs from the February hiring freeze.

I can tell you that constituents of mine who visit Washington and have meetings within all of these agencies do not feel, at the senior level, there is guidance because folks are in an acting position rather than having people in the…

I want to actually thank the Chair and the Ranking Member for bringing up with General Klotz the incredible importance of investing in the plutonium capability and the trusted microelectronics at the Mesa facility.

Budgets are a direct demonstration of our priorities.

We are moving forward because we cannot wait because it is patients we are seeing. That is the focus of everything that we do.

The Federal Government has treaty and trust responsibilities to provide vital services, including health care and education, to Native American and Alaska Native tribes.

I am concerned that the framework will stall and much needed improvements will fail to be implemented.

If you take that Medicaid money, you are going to end up rolling back a lot of the achievements you have made, isn't that true?

I think sports are good for young people. I think exercise is good.

Given the high levels of leadership turnover at BIE and IHS, one of GAO's recommendations for both agencies is to develop contingency and succession planning for key positions.

We know, on a bipartisan basis, both in the Bush and Obama Administrations, by this point, we usually have senior staff in these areas.

I just want to say the GAO listing this as a high risk opportunity is a chance for us to work together...

It is offensive and, frankly, not constructive to blame communities for the challenges that they face today.

I have actually introduced some legislation with Senator Collins to try and increase opportunities, and get out of those silos.