Jerry Moran

I would guess that as Governor, you granted some hospital waivers.

At least according to the National Rural Health Association, 41 percent of all critical access hospitals are in the red now.

So while I assume the expectation was that most, if not all, States would create a State exchange, and that hasn't happened--apparently, 18 is the number of States that have not--your ability to fund, and create a fund to create a…

I'm going to first start with the question that I indicated I would raise, which is the authority by which you can transfer the funds to pay for the federally created exchanges.

It is critical that it does not continue to use a haphazard 'rob-Peter-to-pay-Paul' strategy.

I look forward to working with you to ensure that these proposals do not adversely affect healthcare access or any American.

I'm concerned that we still don't yet know the full cost of the Affordable Care Act.

What I have seen over the time I have been in the Department of Labor is that there has been a lot of activity among everybody to try to solve the problem, if you will, of veteran unemployment.

How can we bring our resources better together for what we are calling the 'Single Portal Initiative.'

If I could add one concern to that, and it is essentially this, that we are in the process now of rolling out a really nice sophisticated new program.

On behalf of Kansans and Americans, thank you very much for you and your Department's efforts to secure our country, to make us safer.

I share the view, I suppose, of the administration that sequestration is not a manner by which we should find savings.

I didn't vote for sequestration. I think across-the-board cuts are irresponsible.

I'm really interested in seeing what kind of analysis, study, exam, review that the FAA did to demonstrate the safety of your decision.

I appreciate your interest in spending time in rural schools.

Thank you for your service.

I think one of the problems is that, you know, rural school districts don't have the personnel to do the application process.

We have a mandate upon our schools to provide special education, IDEA.

I'm concerned that the fiscal year 2014 budget signals a weakening of the Federal commitment to formula grant programs that are the primary source of Federal education.

We need to make certain that early-childhood programs are available across the country.

We all have a belief that quality education is hugely important for Americans.

We would continue to promote the aspect of the rural nature and work with the Department to try to solve that problem.

It is important that Federal funding to improve the delivery of those preschool programs is coordinated and directed toward improving the quality of the programs for children who are most in need.

I look forward to being an ally as we try to develop a prudent and fiscal response to our country's needs in regard to health and education and labor.

I think my Republican colleagues are very interested in returning to so-called regular order.