I think it's good, General, that you guys are focusing on that because, obviously, readiness is one thing, we want that, but if we're losing lives because we're not training enough, I think that's--shame on all of us.

I think this committee needs to keep a very close oversight role here because there is just a lot we need to do and the coordination between the Navy and the Coast Guard has not been that good.

as we approach Memorial Day, we remember the men and women who sacrificed their lives in devotion to the causes of liberty, freedom, and democracy. As such, I would like to take the opportunity to speak about one event in our Nation's…

I wish to recognize another Alaskan, one who happens to be right here in the Senate Chamber, Senate Page Wade Quigley. I think we should call him the Junior Alaskan of the Week. Wade is from Girdwood, AK. He is actually right here, getting…

every week I have been coming down to the Senate floor to honor an individual who is serving in my great State of Alaska, who is helping to make our State, his or her local community, or even our country a better place. We call these…

I ask unanimous consent that the preamble to S. Res. 178 be agreed to. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The preamble was agreed to. (The resolution, previously agreed to, with its preamble, is printed in today's…

I want to talk this evening about a very serious threat to the United States; that is, the threat from North Korea and what we in the Congress should be doing about it. Now, over the weekend we saw another piece of news about how the North…

I ask unanimous consent that the Roberts amendment at the desk be considered and agreed to, the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1238 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection…

It should not take 10 years to build an icebreaker.

This is not 15 years off. This is not 10 years off.

North Korea is one of the hardest nations that we have to collect against due to its insular society, gaps in United States ISR, and its limited broadband internet connectivity.

I appreciate your focus in your written statement on the North Korean ICBM threat with regard to nuclear weapons.

It is going to happen. He is going to have that capability.

It is no longer a matter of if but when Kim Jong-un is going to have the capability to hit... the continental United States.

every week I have been coming to the Senate floor to talk about someone in my great State of Alaska who makes Alaska a better place for all of us--for the community, for everybody living there. I call this person our Alaskan of the Week…

I have been very interested in the appeals issue.

We have to do more to support our allies and expand.

We have a threat, a real threat right now, a madman possibly could be threatening 300 million people.

It is not a matter of if but when Kim Jong-un is going to be able to range the United States.

Thank you and the Ranking Member for holding this important hearing.

We want full VA support. I know Dr. Shulkin does.

This legislation would allow for VA to make payments for the training of interns and residents at approved locations other than VA facilities.

This is an issue that is impacting every single state in our great Nation and Dr. Butler is a leader in this, not only in Alaska, but in our country.

I think it will have strong bipartisan support in the Committee, and we really want to move on it this year.