Good morning to all of you, and welcome to today's hearing on the challenges Social Security faces when deciding if a person should receive disability benefits.

I haven't seen much improvement. It wasn't that long ago that Social Security was facing a different disability backlog.

Now, that is a lot of hearings, but the disability insurance program is too important for Social Security not to get it right.

I appreciate your questions, and I totally agree with what the Ranking Member said.

It is unconscionable that this goes on, and we have to solve this problem on behalf of the citizens we are sworn to serve.

Congress should amend the MMPA to bring the law into the 21st century.

We urge Congress to repair the MMPA, reasserting the law to protect marine mammals from real threats.

Representative Johnson (LA) has introduced, the Streamlining Environmental Approvals Act of 2017, or the SEA Act.

The SEA Act provides a common-sense approach to ensure that offshore energy exploration...can move forward.

Social Security faces serious challenges. The Trustees Report tells us the Social Security trust funds will be exhausted in 2034.

Americans deserve a fact-based conversation about the tough choices necessary so that Social Security is a program our children and grandchildren can count on.

Fixing Social Security will require tough choices, choices that will affect the lives of millions of Americans.

Social Security provides important retirement and disability benefits that millions of Americans rely on.

I introduced my plan to fix Social Security. My good friend from Connecticut, Mr. Larson, also has a plan.

Jim Bunning was a patriot, a strong supporter of Social Security, and a friend.

Americans deserve nothing less.

It says something about their motives, I think.

Excessive litigation against the Department drains our taxpayer dollars away from good stewardship of our natural resources.

Today we will explore how litigation against the Department of the Interior impacts the Department's ability to carry out its mission of managing our country's vast natural resources and trust responsibilities.

the Trump Administration "is bracing for an influx of litigation," per Mr. Johnson's opening statement.

I will cut this short.

The concerns stated today are misplaced. The child pornography statutes have never been the subject of abuse by Federal prosecutors, and there is no evidence that that would happen in the future. However, the abuse that is being allowed…

It is not only unnecessary, but it is fashioned in such a manner which may potentially create the type of loophole that we are looking to close. Under current law, so-called Romeo and Juliet cases, such as those between 19- and…

To just say a couple of important points in rebuttal to what we have heard. For one thing, there has been no evidence that the cases referenced by the gentlewoman involving conduct between minors are being prosecuted at the Federal level…

I am honored today to speak in support of my legislation, the Protecting Against Child Exploitation Act, which aims to close a court- created loophole, and as the title suggests, further protect our children from predators. When I first…