Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I very much appreciate this hearing on Afghanistan so we can hear from the administration its strategies in regards to Afghanistan, moving forward.

What is our objective in regards to the Taliban, as far as their participation in the peace process?

I was going to ask if we could get that breakdown number, because it is a--that is a large number.

And I think some of us wonder if that is the right mix.

It is clearly important. And we have had this conversation with the--with Secretary Sullivan and the State Department--that part of the healing process in Afghanistan is accountability for those who have committed gross violations of human…

The common perception is that Pakistan is not doing enough to change that equation.

What we have not seen, however, is any inclination from at least significant elements of the Taliban that are still engaging in horrific acts of terrorist violence.

We intend to hold Pakistan accountable for its failure to deny sanctuary to militant proxies.

The United States remains firmly committed to supporting the Afghan people and their government's efforts to achieve peace, security, and prosperity for their country.

It is vital that parliamentary and presidential elections take place this year and next, respectively, and that they reflect the will of the Afghan people and create an inclusive government that continues to implement these fundamental…

We need to modernize our trade agreements, as we were doing in the TPP, on anticorruption provisions.

The U.S./Canada/Mexico relationship is critically important for the United States.

The public opinion in Mexico, the public opinion in Canada about the confidence of the United States has diminished.

I have had serious concerns about how President Trump has managed that relationship. Because I think it has caused damage.

There is strong bipartisan support to help eliminate lead in drinking water.

I would just urge you to give us time to make sure that this program continues, because it is an important part of our public-private partnership.

I just hope they would be sensitive to that, even though it may not come out directly of the EPA budget.

I think keep the synergies with the other Federal agencies is important, and having a location near the Chesapeake Bay is symbolic and important.

I would like to bring the Senate's attention to the bipartisan Preserving Teacher Loan Forgiveness for Military Spouses Act of 2018, which I am introducing with the Senior Senator from Texas today. This legislation eliminates a barrier for…

I rise today to express my opposition to the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. This blatant attempt to ban later abortion undermines decades of legal precedent and directly challenges the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court…

Canada is our number-one export partner.

I come to the floor to reflect on the troubling foreign policy 1 year into President Donald Trump's administration. A recent poll out from Gallup showed a dramatic reduction in global public opinion toward the United States. Confidence in…

let me tell you how pleased I am for the people in Maryland that we are now in the process of ending this government shutdown. A government shutdown does not benefit anyone. It certainly doesn't benefit the Federal workers who live in…

reserving the right to object, if I might, what Democrats and, I hope, Republicans have been trying to do is to get a budget for this country. That is what we have been saying. Let's stay here and negotiate the budget. Let's pass a very…

I take this time to propound a unanimous consent request concerning our Federal workforce. The reason for doing this is we have gone through shutdowns before. It has been our view that our Federal workforce should receive their pay. That…