I am concerned about how the Air Force is going to respond and plan for future threats.

I want to start by thanking our panelists for being here and for the continued excellent work that their respective agencies do every day in providing world-class strategic analysis and in keeping our country safe.

Our missile defense strategy was, quote/unquote, unsustainable and that ballistic missile threats, quote, continue to outpace our Active defense systems, unquote.

we have made significant investments to protect our ally Israel from ballistic missile threats in the region.

I think it is going to be more and more important that we look at long-term solutions that are actual game-changers like directed energy to solve some of those issues.

I continue to be a champion of efforts to improve technology transfer from the NNSA labs as an engine for local economic development.

I continue to hear concerns over the lack of progress of cleanup at Los Alamos.

With new M&O contracts coming up soon for both Sandia and Los Alamos, what are your thoughts on incorporating technology transfer as an explicit mission of the labs?

How do you suggest NNSA and the labs address the difficulties small business have in engaging with the labs to commercialize innovative technologies?

The local community is also concerned that the budget request for fiscal year 2017 for LANL is inadequate.

I continue to have concerns about the upcoming transition in program management to a new contractor(s) and the potential impacts on the community and local small businesses.

Mr. Chairman, thanks for exposing these issues.

Mr. President, I rise with sorrow and regret to pay tribute to SFC Matthew McClintock. Sergeant McClintock was a native of my home State of New Mexico. He died on January 5 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained from…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak in morning business for no more than 7 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

Greed is how we determine what drug costs are.

I have introduced a bill with Senator Murkowski that would make the IHS Health Professions Awards Program exempt from a Federal income tax requirement.

I am a big supporter of telehealth and many of the other strategies you mentioned.

We need more resources for the agency to recruit and retain competent and committed staff.