Barbara Mikulski

I wish we didn't have to be here today. I wish we didn't have a persistent and growing drug epidemic in this country--one that is ravaging our communities and killing our young people.

In Maryland, it is, indeed, a public health epidemic and a public health emergency.

Thank you for really working on a bipartisan basis to move this legislation.

He'd be eminently qualified and look forward to supporting his nomination proceeding.

You do not want to break a promise to Barbara Mikulski. It is something you will hear about.

I hope we can make a Mikulski promise that we are not going to forget the commitment of this budget and the commitment in years to come.

I want to commend the chairman for making this commitment for 7 percent growth at NIH, which includes 5 percent real growth at NIH.

If we took a stand, a bipartisan stand, on medical research and said, come hell or high water, we are not going to tolerate a shutdown, a sequestration, a CR.

If you just have one, one would be enough.

I am deeply concerned about the caps.

We should see you as an economic generator.

I call it the 'National Institutes of Hope.'

We are stymied by our own processes.

When you look at us, we have a chairman who is very much dedicated to NIH, certainly a vice chairman who is.

Lifting budget caps is the most appropriate solution.

This is quite simply unacceptable. At a time when so many other countries are ramping up their investments in biomedical research, the U.S. is scaling back.

When we invest in NIH, we see better cures and treatments for diseases and conditions that devastate families.

People like myself, Senator Cardin, Senator Kaine, Senator Warner, we are very proud of the fact that the capital region is the home to so much talent that works on so many pressing national interests, from the cure for cancer to protect…

I think that is absolutely crucial.

Which indicates that this is an international problem.

The second point is, what has happened at OPM, and also what happened to the breaches at the Army, shows that this is a serious national issue.

Let's not just throw money at it. Let's get value and security for the dollar.

What do I tell my employees, because they are quite apprehensive?

Your advice to us is to get with it, and get with it pretty quick.

I really want to thank you for your leadership in convening this hearing.