I thank the chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senator Isakson, for the leadership he has shown from the get-go. From the moment he took the gavel in the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, he has been wanting to work together in…

I thank Senator Moran for his kind comments. I want to begin my comments by acknowledging the chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee. We would not be here today taking up the VA MISSION Act without the leadership of Senator…

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, in reality, I think 'IHS' stands for 'Indian Health Suffering.'

this drug has destroyed families and is tearing at the very fabric of [their] society.

I'm proud to join my colleagues in leading the charge to improve the IHS through the Restoring Accountability in the Indian Health Service Act.

if the Tribal consultation suggests that meth is the issue, and the resources need to be devoted toward fighting that epidemic, the answer is you would work with them to be able to do that?

I remain outraged, heartbroken, over the overall lack of care that IHS is providing Montana's Indian Tribes.

that's meth. Let me illustrate what this problem looks like for you in my State of Montana.

we have all seen the headlines across the Nation about the VA Choice Program and how it has failed our veterans. I wish to share some of those headlines from my home State of Montana. From Montana Public Radio, the headline was: ``Montana…

as ranking member of the Committee on Veterans Affairs I continue to fight hard on behalf of new policies that will allow VA to better serve our Nation's veterans. As a former ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military…

The threats regarding China are very real, as well as the significant opportunities.

Obamacare violates the principles of Tribal sovereignty-- it is a big issue for me back home in Montana for our Tribes-- because it requires Indian Tribes to either provide health care coverage for their employees or face fines of $2,000…

I look forward to leading the charge once again to prevent these negative impacts on our Tribes, and remedy would be the legislation I am proposing.

Last Congress, I offered some legislation that would exempt Tribal governments and tribally owned businesses and organizations from this severe standard. I am announcing right here and right now that I will be reintroducing that…

I think it is very important that we engage in these negotiations.

It was, I think, chilling for many of us who watched that unfold in the last administration, a fundamental First Amendment issue on freedom of speech and of expression.

At this time, I urge adoption of my commonsense amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Gianforte). The amendment was agreed…

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: At the end of part III of subtitle C of title VIII, insert the following: SEC. 83__. SALVAGE AND…