Mr. Ross, thank you very much for your interest in public service and your care for Americans and their jobs.

I look forward to educating you on behalf of Kansans.

Too many times the headline issues that we can deal with are left--they overcome the good government issues.

We've taken a special interest in the efficiency of IT procurement.

It was our intention that this additional funding and flexibility would result in a more efficient use of spectrum.

I assume you would assure me or members of this Committee that the Environmental Protection Agency, to the best of your ability, will obey the law.

If you are confirmed, I intend to be gum on your shoe in regard to the exports of agricultural products and commodities from Kansas.

No officer or employee of the Federal Government, including the Secretary, shall attempt to influence, condition, incentivize, or coerce State adoption of the Common Core State Standards.

You represent the collective conscience of the American people as you oversee and scrutinize these activities.

Yes. You have my full commitment to that, Senator Heinrich.

Russia has reasserted itself aggressively, invading and occupying Ukraine, threatening Europe, and doing nothing to aid in the destruction and defeat of ISIS.

Service on the Intelligence Committee takes and must take place largely behind closed doors and without fanfare.

It is work that keeps you up at night, but it is work that needs to be done to ensure that our intelligence professionals have the guidance and the resources that they need.

As one of this committee's former chairmen, I fully appreciate the awesome responsibility that comes with sitting on this dais.

It's incredibly important that the information is timely.

I expressed to you my frustration on questioning members of the Intelligence Committee and then finding that there was more to the story and that there were omissions at times, not deception but omissions.

I do plan to continue your own investigation into ongoing Russian active measures...

it seems intensely unlikely to me, Senator.