I rise today to support the confirmation of Mr. Edward Sunyol Kiel to the U.S. district court of New Jersey. Mr. Kiel, whom Senator Booker and I proudly recommended to President Biden, is eminently qualified for this position. Mr. Kiel has…

It's unfair, and I believe it's un-American.

Our Federal agencies have become emboldened in many ways and in many ways unchecked. Too often they abuse this power.

It is fundamentally unfair, it is wrong, and it is in no way, in no way, nobody should kid themselves, our founding fathers never, ever envisioned what is happening now with these agencies.

The fact of the matter is, there is still a lot of people out there in systems that are going to be helped by the SFA, are they not?

I stand firmly with the President on doubling that number of mental health professionals in our schools.

Federal buildings must be safe and secure places for Federal employees, contractors, and the American public. I believe evaluating the safety in and around Federal buildings is a good idea, which is why I support this bill and encourage my…

I want to thank the Chair for having this hearing today. It's something we need to talk about.

I am very encouraged by the President's proposed budget here, particularly as it relates to women's health care postpartum, pregnancy, disparities, children, you know, just all kinds of chock full of really good things.

This is about helping ordinary Americans, the ones who want to work their lives, play by the rules, and have a little nest egg at the end.

So is it also fair to say that since China is the economic force within that region that we are challenged in terms of our own national interests in meeting that economic force with one that can compete with it?

The problem is is that we provide them no option in terms of an economic or trade agenda.

For the record, Mr. Secretary, since my time has expired would you respond to that question for me, what are we doing to get the Solomon Islands to be aligned with us, particularly in our security partnership with Australia?

The urgency of climate change; there is a lot more that we should be doing as it relates to climate change.

So is it also fair to say that since China is the economic force within that region that we are challenged in terms of our own national interests in meeting that economic force with one that can compete with it?

The problem is is that we provide them no option in terms of an economic or trade agenda.

Without market access I think that we are going to be at a competitive disadvantage with China.

If we do not have a robust trade agenda in the Pacific Island countries that they will not by desire, maybe, but by default ultimately deal with the Chinese.