Richard Blumenthal

And I wonder if you could talk a little bit about the Older Americans Act and why it's so important to reauthorize that bill in light of the comments that you've made already.

I think that's an important area to consider.

Would you be in favor of expanding the mandatory reporting features of the current law, analogizing it to some of the child abuse protections that we have?

Vulnerable I think is exactly the right word. When a family member is involved, the problems of detection and apprehension may be even more difficult.

I believe that our rate review system should absolutely be strengthened by providing more transparency and accountability.

What more can the Administration do, do you think, to encourage more accountable and effective review systems across the country given its present authority?

I want to thank the Chairman for having this hearing on a very important topic.

Would you say that the industry could do more in perhaps encouraging that kind of review?

Well, thank you, and I again want to thank you for your courage, there and here, and giving the entire Committee who will review this testimony, and their staffs, the benefit of this really firsthand experience with this lawless regime…

And that situation could be recurring for citizens around the globe at this moment given the lawlessness of many regimes in this world.

I really commend you. I know a lot of the members of the committee join me in welcoming and commending that work.

What I hear in Connecticut... is that a lot of the employers have openings, but they can't find the workers for the skills.

That is a very powerful story, and I want to thank you and Mayor Bridges as well for your leadership by opening your home.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Senator Schumer, and thank you all for your very moving and inspiring testimony here today.

You have the right to remain silent.

It is important that we all, all Americans, work toward improving the STEM pipeline in K-12 education.

It is very important to deal with inadequacies and rooms for loopholes in the current system.

The beauty of what you are talking about is that it is comprehensive.

I think the real key today is to focus on green cards.

Thank you, Senator Schumer. Thank you for holding this hearing and for your leadership, longstanding leadership in this area.

We need to move beyond that. And these numbers are obviously artificial.

No matter how good these rules, they have to be enforced vigorously and fairly.

Wouldn't you recommend that the confines of the statute, as you have adroitly put it, be changed so that the public interest could be better served to lower drug prices?

And there's no other way to view it than as a kind of loophole, giveaway, sweetheart deal that raises the cost of drugs at a time when the cost of drugs is already spiraling upward; correct?

The Federal Government, it seems to me, has an obligation to taxpayers and seniors to take advantage of competition where it exists, or enhance it where it should be more robust in order to achieve those savings.