In my view, the National Guard State Partnership Program is key to putting the Asia-Pacific rebalance into practice.

I want to just start by complimenting the leadership that you have had in the Pacific.

If we don't get much of an increase in the percentage of penetration, then we have to reconsider our strategy.

I am not sure that we can throw a sufficient number of vessels at this problem to actually significantly make an impact.

I agree with you about Customs and Border Protection, and I agree that that's currently the--likely the rate-limiting factor for a lot of our international arrivals.

I am a big believer in telehealth.

There was broad and deep enthusiasm on a bipartisan basis.

I'm deeply passionate about Essential Air Service. It's especially important in an island State.

What is it that NOAA does that only NOAA can be doing, should be doing?

I like the idea of NOAA as a convener and I think it makes sense, it is the Federal Government, it is the best source of all the satellite data, analysis, and all the rest of it.

As a strong believer in the power of telehealth to reach more underserved populations, address gaps in our health care system, and ultimately improve both physical and mental health care in the United States for everyone, I'm grateful for…

I think this is a real opportunity for us to work together on a bipartisan basis.

I know VA is working with the Department of Defense (DOD) so that the two can share servicemembers' medical records electronically, but progress, as you know, has been slow.

Health policy is driven by what is and what is not reimbursed. Medicare has to lead the way.

I have talked to you a couple of times about it. This will double the availability of clinical services for about 1.2 million people and tens of thousands of veterans in the City and County of Honolulu.

Innovative markets, including in mobile technology, could be unleashed if Medicare were to step out and reimburse more extensively for telehealth services.

3 weeks ago, the Senate held an important vote on an amendment to the budget resolution, and 56 of our colleagues, including 11 Republicans, joined me in affirming the need for legislation to ensure that all legally married spouses…

I'm wondering whether we can come at some of those challenges from the accreditation side.

I'm wondering what you can do at the department to better support access to and fair assessment of education through the medium of native languages.

I thank the ranking member of the Budget Committee, the Senator from Vermont. Motion to Instruct Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to set aside the pending motion and call up my motion to instruct, which is at the desk. The PRESIDING…

All legally married, same-sex couples deserve equal treatment under the law, regardless of where they live. But right now, eligibility for spousal benefits provided under the Social Security Act and by the Department of Veterans Affairs is…

I ask unanimous consent that my amendment No. 1063 be modified with the changes at the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment, as modified, is as follows: At the appropriate place, insert the…

I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk called the roll. The yeas and nays…

Our responsibility to provide that care extends to those who are deployed and to those at home.

Eliminating this stigma is critical to giving servicemembers and deployed civilians the resolve they need to take advantage of the care they need to become whole again.