A high percentage of COVID transmission is going on, high positive COVID test rates.

Due to the open-border policies of this administration, we are experiencing a public health and, sadly, humanitarian crisis at our southern border.

I will make this painless with me. I only have one question, and that is--and it is a yes or no answer--do you believe the VA has an obligation to be responsive to congressional oversight?

I urge you to consider the lasting impacts this policy will have on Montana taxpayers and local economies.

I fought alongside the people of the Little Shell Tribe for years to achieve Federal recognition and establish this very important government-to-government relationship.

I was very pleased to see the one millionth vaccine distributed in Indian Country last week.

I hope that other tribes are treated with the respect they deserve, as IHS continues to visit tribes throughout Indian Country.

Last week the Acting Director of IHS was out in Great Falls, Montana. Great Falls is home, in fact, to our newest federally recognized tribe in the Nation, and that is the Little Shell Tribe.

It is unacceptable, and the Little Shell have fought for recognition for far too long to simply be an afterthought for IHS.

I appreciate your listening to their voice as you prioritize where these investments should be made.

I urge the committee to take up bipartisan language that authorizes the Keystone XL pipeline.

The Keystone XL pipeline would generate tens of millions of dollars in tax revenues for local communities.

Okay. Dr. Tompkins, DARPA invented the Internet for the Department of Defense. It was adopted worldwide.

Do either of you see any existing barriers to working with your particular agencies and if you do, are those barriers things that you can break down or do you need congressional help?

I have continued appreciation for his role as Whip and the chairman in the caucus, and so thank you, Senator Durbin.

I want to start by telling everybody here what an honor it is to serve as chairman of this committee.

I just want to express my appreciation for the testimony that was presented here today.

I find these statistics deeply troubling as we enter an era marked by innovation and global competition for telecommunications, electronics, and renewable energy technologies.