Dan Sullivan

The VA in Washington has to take responsibility. You cannot blame this on the Congress.

I must admit, after what has been going on in my State the last few months, I am starting to lose patience.

I talked to Dr. Shulkin last night. I was going to put a hold on his nomination because of this.

It's making sure that veterans have access to care when they need it and where they need it.

The Choice Act, which is supposed to do that in Alaska is actually undermining it.

It is Phoenix all over again. People are having their appointments canceled at the last minute.

Now, we have, I think, without exaggeration, a five-alarm fire going on in my State with our veterans because of the way the Choice Act is being implemented.

I want a commitment from you, as someone who understands the bureaucracy... to help make sure when you get to Alaska, it is not just to hear what the issues are.

I wish to speak today about the National Defense Authorization Act, which was just passed on the floor after almost 3 weeks of debate on the Senate floor. Today, a very strong bipartisan majority passed this legislation. It is a very…

I wish to start by offering prayers and thoughts--I think of every Member of the Senate--to the families of those who were killed in last night's horrific, horrific shooting in South Carolina. No words can undo the incredible pain that…

It would be helpful if she were responsive, thorough and timely in the requests from this committee and from the Congress, because right now she hasn't been.

The vast majority of the people who live in my State are very concerned about the actions of the EPA

But we also care about the Constitution, oversight, the rule of law.

Will you commit to be responsive in a substantive and timely manner to the requests of this committee?

The EPA was violating the Constitution. The EPA was trying to take powers away from this body.

I think a lot of Alaskans think it is because of our own State and local government.

Every regulatory action, executive action that the EPA takes has to have a basis in the statute, has to have a basis in the law.

We all certainly want clean water. My city in Anchorage gets awards almost every year for having some of the cleanest, if not the cleanest water, in the United States.

When you get blown off like that in terms of oversight, I think it is exactly the prerogative of the Congress to clarify what the law is.

No one, I believe on either side of the aisle, thinks the EPA has the authority to expand its own jurisdiction.

There are many great employees at the EPA but they have been acting in a way that exceeds their authority.

The issue of expanding broadband, certainly in my state of Alaska, is a really important goal.

I think it is important that you are able to kind of address some of the issues he has raised in a lot of detail.

We just want more Coasties, not less, in Alaska.

I grew up with this idea of public service. I really believe in public service.