Barbara Mikulski

I have become increasingly concerned about what I call techno-boondoggles.

Many of us actually read these reports.

If the Joint Plan of Action falls apart, and the Congress then moves to take needed action, I will--because this is in July--make sure that we, as appropriators, would accommodate whatever it takes to up the game for them to be able to…

Certainty of the funding, that at least you'll get paid for the work you do and not sent home as nonessential

We want to make sure you get to be you, and that you get to implement the laws that the Congress authorizes

So, we look forward to hearing your testimony.

I am very proud of this committee and the way we have supported the United States military.

The Appropriations Committee is committed to keeping America strong, to supporting its United States military

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I want it to be the pause that refreshes, not the pause that gives us heartburn.

One of my biggest priorities is reducing the backlog of pending veterans' disability claims.

We want to continue the momentum, so we need not only a leader, we need a real leader.

Well, we want to continue the momentum of the Ten Point Plan.

I am committed to a budget that supports our veterans and your mission.

I just want to make two quick points.

We want to make sure that our veterans have the best healthcare that they can get, and that their claims are handled as expeditiously as possible.

We want to be on the floor as soon after Memorial Day as we can to show that it is not just words, but it is deeds.

We left no bills behind, and showed we can govern.

This office continues to be the worst performing office in the entire country.

Hats off to you, Mr. Chairman. I know this is your last official hearing on this committee with the head of the VA.

I want to first and foremost express my thanks to the chairman, and his colleagues, for this bipartisan bill--a long overdue effort that clearly is the result of a painstaking, patient effort by the committee to reauthorize the Child Care…

Oh, I am sorry, I thought the Senator from Oklahoma was involved in a conversation with the Senator from Iowa.

The President and I support Poland's accession to the Visa Waiver Program.

Poland is an important strategic ally to the United States. It is important to show faith with a longtime friend that has shown faith with us, standing by us in Iraq and Afghanistan.

If we had stayed on the 3-percent growth initiated by Arlen Specter, where would we be now? At about $40 billion?