Barbara Mikulski

We've got to make sure our cyber shields are up, we're fit for duty, and we're fit to protect our people.

I would hope as you begin your term here that you look also at those of a significant age or significantly ill where they would pose no threat to the general public.

I want to associate myself with the remarks of Senator Leahy... about the need for reviewing sentencing reform.

We see this as a situation in which there could be an opportunity to really do something very significant in terms of our young people.

We think this is a big issue. It is a big issue in our State.

I would hope because there is bipartisan effort in this area in terms of looking at what we need to do to safely reduce the prison population.

What other tools do you feel that you have on criminal justice reform to help restore this trust that exists that we need to restore on our communities?

But, again, they took the money, but we see that there are other issues that community-based leaders, faith and grassroots and others, are saying the relationship is worn.

There has been now a tattered, worn, and even broken trust between the community and the police department.

So do you think that apart from whether they have a collaborative reform effort underway or not?

Do you think that there should be mandatory training in the areas of ethnic and racial bias as well as also on the use of force?

We could get beyond the petty politics that were the obstruction to that confirmation.

There are many programs you have functioning at the local level, certainly in Baltimore.

The lack of available temporary foreign workers has caused chaos among businesses in Maryland that depend on the H-2B program. More than 40 percent of Maryland's seafood processors have been unable to get the workers that they need for the…

The budget that we just passed yesterday is so deeply flawed that it will only provoke tremendous problems in this committee.

I worry about zip code medicine, the disparity in Baltimore this morning between the neighborhood in which I live, called Roland Park, and a neighborhood called Harlem Park.

I am concerned that yes, although you have more than the management capability to set priorities, you are going to have to end up picking winners and losers.

He said mental health, mental health, mental health.

I have supported plans for a comprehensive review of the Army's force structure to determine how important capabilities can be maintained in these tough budget times.

However, there have been no plans submitted to support this, nor has there been an announced plan to augment the National Guard's fleet with C-130J's.

I have a real problem and so does my business community where they have not been able, because of the H-2B cap, be able to get the visas they need for this year.

But let me tell you why this is important to this committee, which goes to the emergency preparedness grants and to the continuity of government.

We are not a city that lacks leadership or lacks commitment or lacks compassion. So we will get through this.

We've been through a rough time in Baltimore. Our protests were important to insist that justice be done for Mr. Freddie Gray, who died in police custody.

I have other questions related to cybersecurity and unaccompanied children. Again, thank you for your steadfast work on that.