Mazie Hirono

I applaud the work you've done.

So I think as we think about how to contend with adversaries like China and Russia, it is long-term planning that this requires.

I think that a 2-year budget deal will help. And I hope that is the way that we will proceed from now on, without these continual CRs.

I hope that we can provide whatever assistance we can to make sure that we do not fall back in readiness for any of the services.

Do you have similar concerns that only about 30 percent of high schoolers can even qualify to join the military?

I am encouraged to see from the President's budget request that ship depot maintenance ... is a top priority for the Navy.

It is February which is African American History Month.

This legislation would allow a commemorative display to be constructed at no cost to the Federal Government.

I have been supporting a national energy efficiency standard, for example.

So I take it that this kind of a cut would not be a good idea.

I believe Mr. Di Stasio and Dr. Medlock mentioned the importance of the federal role in R&D.

Hawaii has the only statewide school system in the entire country and energy costs account for a lot.

Last Congress I introduced the Next Generation Electric Systems Act to provide grid demonstration grants...

I would really welcome Rand Paul being much more consistent. So why he didn't do this with the tax bill which should have died in my opinion, and why he is taking this bill to put forth that same argument I do not know.

It's hard to predict what Rand Paul will do. Obviously, he's doing what he's doing. And it is, thanks to him that, we are going to see a government shutdown at midnight tonight.

The less the president plays a role in any of the deliberations in the House and Senate, the more likely that will be able to get some things done.

Well, thanks to Rand Paul we're not able to get to a vote on the budget deal that involved a lot of compromise and has some really good items in it but Rand Paul objects.

Can you talk a little bit more about the situation in the CNMI and why you need to raise the cap so that you can take care of the residents' health?

I want to thank the Chair for her indulgence because she knows that some of us have been working on this for a long time.

Can I count on you for support for restoring Medicaid funding or Medicaid eligibility?

I hope that you are aware that many of us, particularly from the Hawaii delegation, have been working very hard to restore Medicaid eligibility for Compact citizens.

Last week, the White House released an Executive order supporting our veterans during their transition to civilian life, and ensuring access to mental health care and suicide prevention, which you had talked about, as a priority.

We have a net increase of 8,303 employees.

The fact that the VA has a large number of vacancies throughout the country...

These efforts will require an individual with experience in the region.