it appears as though the Turkish government has mostly mobilized its political, military, and security apparatus not primarily to assist the coalition in defeating ISIS--but to fight the Kurdistan Workers party (PKK)

What specifically are you doing to prevent these groups from obtaining United States weapons and equipment?

I still see some reluctance coming from the administration on admitting that ISIS continues to expand.

I believe, and where I am coming from, is that we simply have no strategy in that region.

I do agree with the panel, that we need a comprehensive strategy.

it is hard for the VA to say, we help veterans, when there have been a lot of instances where veterans have been let down.

this was not just one isolated case in one hospital, but it was in many different locations across the United States that this happened.

It is incredibly important that before this rule is finalized, we stop it from having any negative consequences on our producers and businesses.

The EPA's proposed expanded definition of waters of the United States... will add unnecessary bureaucratic red tape for our producers in the agriculture and small business communities.

I wish we would have had the Corps members and the EPA representatives here.

If we cannot do the right things for our land and our crops when the job needs to be done, farming and ranching will be much more costly and more difficult.

Tens of thousands of dollars to obtain permits along with fees for both lawyers and technical consultants is beyond the means of most farmers and ranchers.

The regulation of these areas means that any activity, including everyday farming activities, could be a violation of the Clean Water Act.

I sent a letter to the EPA Administrator and asked her to come to Iowa.

If the EPA still fails to listen to the many voices raising concerns... then we should all come together and oppose this rule.

I have yet to hear back from the EPA, which I thought was--at least they could have responded to me.

The proposed rule has only expanded confusion and uncertainty as to how far the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act reaches.

Expanding EPA's regulatory authority under the Clean Water Act to include these and similar areas will have many negative consequences for my farm business.

If this agency can regulate every body of water on my farm, including those that are dry most of the time, then there are effectively no limits to the agency's regulatory reach.

as we continue to fight against ISIS and those radicalized by them, I rise today to urge my colleagues to join efforts to provide direct assistance to a critical partner in that fight--the Kurdistan Regional Government. Yesterday, I joined…

I rise to stress the importance of ensuring nuclear negotiations with Iran to preserve our national interests and our security, one that protects the security of our allies and partners in the region and maintains peace and stability in…

I do appreciate the fact that you are working with your Department to streamline it, make it more efficient, and more effective for our citizens.

It seems to me and to many others that Turkey has been maybe not such a strong ally as they should have been.

Through this process, have you seen any joint initiatives where the Canadians have actually pushed back or they do not wish to collaborate with U.S. authorities?

I appreciate you being here today, and thanks for your service in protecting our great country.