Because housing is a basic need. And when our future leaders don't feel that the place that they call home is one that is going to be part of their future, that makes it a very difficult reality for those who are living here today.

I think it is important that we recognize that the lack of a physical structure or the lack of an adequate, safe, sanitary physical structure has such an extraordinary ripple effect.

I was honored to be a part of the opening ceremony because I know that the new clinics will provide invaluable improvements in providing high quality, modern healthcare.

we desperately need the Indian Housing Block Grant to be adequately funded.

But also, you spoke a little bit, Chris, about the jobs, and the fact that you face that you utilized force account.

We have an obligation, a responsibility to be working on these issues that again, surround a very basic, basic need.

reserving the right to object, I do stand reluctantly and in an unenviable position, as my friend from North Carolina has noted. As the chairman of the authorizing committee, the Energy Committee, I will be objecting at this time. But I…

I just want you to keep some of those things in mind.

To think that through these grants we are achieving outcomes like we are seeing Ms. Hummingbird articulate here, it is not just, again, about keeping a language alive; it is a culture, it is an identity, it is a purpose, a sense of self…

We know what it is means to lose languages at a rapid pace.

What we are seeing in the young children, what we are seeing in the results coming out of the school, measurements of academic success have been really extraordinarily impressive.

When a Native person knows their language, they know their culture, they know who they are; it is part of their identity.

I think it is helpful to give a little bit of background.

Chairman Murkowski was talking about the valley of death, in terms of these investments that are large, they're long-term...

we are beginning to wrap up the appropriations package, which includes the fiscal year 2019 bills for the Subcommittees on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; Financial Services and General Government; Agriculture, Rural…

as we are working through the remaining issues as they relate to the various appropriations bills before us, I wanted to take just a few moments this afternoon to speak about a friend of mine, a friend of Alaska's, a gentleman, and a…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Tribute to Lieutenant General Michael H. Shields

There is no such thing as too much fish.

Thank you, Senator. It is such an important question. When we think about the administrative burden it sounds so technical, but at the end of the day, it all comes back to the individual, the patient, and their families.

But in my mind, I still go back to Wrangell where we have eight beds, where your staff is limited, and yet the requirements are as significant as they are for a major hospital in Seattle.

There has just been--there is so much frustration that goes on, not only on the patient side, but administratively.

I sent a letter to Administrator Verma suggesting that there is no one rural lens.

We would welcome that input as they do work forward on this strategy.

I want to thank Senator Murkowski for her interest in this issue.

I rise to reluctantly reserve the right to object. I will object to amendment No. 3424, which would permanently authorize the revenue collection and deposit functions of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. I thank my colleague from North…