Barbara Mikulski

We're very proud of the fact that Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) is in Maryland.

Well, Admiral, I would really appreciate this.

We are a Navy State. We love our Army presence... But we are crazy about the Navy.

All of the women in the Senate--and we don't have a caucus, we just come together on where we can find common ground--are very concerned about women in the military, their ability to serve and to be promoted and utilized in every capacity.

Mr. Secretary, I am going to ask you not only for the record, but for me personally, if I could have whatever your policy papers are on this, because I want to talk to my colleagues about how we can promote the First Lady's initiative not…

I think their service ought to count, and I think it ought to count in every State in the United States of America.

I know that our Marines and our Navy like to fight. That is why they join the military.

The health and vitality of our military personally--the individual soldier, sailor, airman, and marine--often depends on the frequency of the deployment.

I would like you to look at that impact and see if it affects your judgment so we get to keep the Comfort.

Have you looked at the hurricane impact?

We feel real bad that we are going to lose the Comfort.

I don't know the military lingo. I just know----

I want to know how we can keep the Comfort in Baltimore?

The budget presented to implement this strategy... ensures the Navy and Marine Corps will be able to fully execute this strategy.

No one--no one--should ever doubt the ability, capability, or superiority of the Navy-Marine Corps team.

Thank you, Madam Chairman.

Get that credential.

We love the Comfort, the hospital ship that we have watched since 1987 steam down the bay for really significant missions, serving the Nation.

We are a Navy State. We are not just a Navy State. We love our Army presence, whether it is the National Security Agency at Fort Meade or Aberdeen or its bases. We love the Air Force because of being there at Andrews.

USNS Comfort has been homeported in Baltimore since 1987 and is a crucial tool of America's 'smart power' strategy.

I mean, like to be ready to protect and defend, and we love them for it. We really do.

Mr. Secretary, General Amos, and Admiral Greenert, first of all, I think the subcommittee really wants to thank you for your service and for your leadership.

You know, it is my job to fight to keep the Comfort----

But this alcohol thing is big. And it also impedes the ability to serve and to be fit for duty.

And again, as part of it, if you are going to get out there and protect and defend us and be in the front line, we don't want them on the unemployment line.