Jerry Moran

The memos are different, and there is a significant consequence to the difference.

Investment in the State Department's programs, when they're reduced, gives other countries the opportunity to advance their causes if we leave any gap unfilled.

Our military officers often tell me that Russia may be our--is our most--is our greatest challenge.

As I talk to our military leaders, certainly terrorism is on their list of worries.

We can't judge our priorities necessarily by the levels of spending.

I look forward to making certain that you are an advocate for rural America and for agriculture in the urban and suburban areas of our country which desperately need ... to know about what we do and how it affects them as well.

I learn something about the Choice Program almost every day, certainly every week in conversations with veterans and conversations with health care providers.

That is the best set of conversations I have had with VA officials in the 7 years I have been a member of the U.S. Senate.

I would ask for your commitment that this is going to be a joint effort with VSOs.

We cannot afford to provide two different systems of service.

Is our priority a long-term FAA reauthorization, or is it privatization of air traffic control, because those two things may be mutually exclusive.

But the reason that we were unable to do that is this topic that now is in front of us again, privatization of air traffic control.

I think one of the problems with privatization is the removal of Congress from having a role to play.

I would put the risk of the survival of contract towers in the hands of Congress much more easily than I would put it in the hands of a board of 13 people making decisions nationwide.

A majority of the Senate, in fact, a majority of both Republicans and Democrats in the Senate put the efforts together to make sure contract towers were supported.

I would remain skeptical, Madam Secretary, that rural America and, particularly, the contract tower program would be more secure with privatization of air traffic control and run by a Board of 13 people.

I would welcome any response that you might have.

But no State that does not make that option would have Title I funds reduced.

I would again ask you if there was not a way that you could prioritize any of the funding that is included in the budget toward IDEA.

You committed yourself to working with me to see that IDEA is fully funded.

Let me ask, when I was last in the room, Chairman Blunt was asking about Pell Grants.

One of my goals as a member of the United States Senate is to get the Senate to function and to function better.

I actually hope that when we have a serious discussion about infrastructure, ... we do not forget the opportunity to invest in infrastructure for Federal buildings and military installations.

Sequestration will occur if no agreement is reached congressionally about spending caps.

Well, again, let me say that my impression is it is more than one instance.