Richard Blumenthal

The State Department Trafficking in Persons report from June 2017 showed that labor trafficking prosecutions dropped to just 5 percent and labor trafficking convictions dropped to 3 percent of overall human trafficking cases in the United…

It was called the Visa Transparency Anti-Trafficking Act.

The outcome of that has been a more coordinated and comprehensive care model that we all support.

Am I satisfied with where we are today? I think it is still a work in progress.

I think we are all in agreement that we want the Choice Program to provide the best possible care.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you all for being here today.

Do you support American manufacturing?

Any particular matter that has a direct or substantial effect on American Airlines, I'm recused under the statute for one year.

I certainly will recuse myself from all aspects of those recall issues relating to the Takata airbag issues.

I'm not asking about recall issues, I'm asking about liability for severe injuries and deaths caused by airbags.

I would suggest respectfully that perhaps you may want to reconsider that response and amend your questionnaire.

Well, whether or not there was a record, there was a complaint.

But the questionnaire asks whether you have, quote, been the subject of a complaint to any professional association?

The only reason it hasn't been adopted is that the airlines are making money from it, a lot of money.

There is a very low-tech solution here, which is to eliminate the bag fees.

But making matters worse, the new administration has pursued a regulatory freeze and a hiring freeze, which may have impacts on the ongoing effort to implement these programs.

Now we have a new administration and now the rules unfortunately are still languishing.

I want to say that 2 years ago I asked your predecessor at his nomination hearing about the task that Senator Booker raised, the task of our rail and transit network, its vulnerability, and the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

One troubling area of threat around the world... is the use of everyday implements, vehicles, in causing the kinds of mass attacks.

Today, as never before, members of the National Guard and Reserve Component play a critical role in our Nation's defense throughout the world.

S. 1209 would increase those pensions from $1,303.51 a month to $3,000 for the 72 living Medal of Honor recipients.

We tend to thank the veteran for her or his service, and the caregivers are equally deserving of thanks.

There are few topics of greater importance to any of us who serve here.

Listening to such terrific advocates as Senator Elizabeth Dole and Ryan Phillippe has truly been a moving experience.

I am an enthusiastic co-supporter--whether the resources are sufficient and whether they are focused in the right areas.