Angus King

Perhaps we should develop a deterrent concept with regard to cyber, 'If you mess with our networks, your lights will go off,'

I don't understand why anybody would go to you for counseling if they understand that that record of that counseling can be made available in a later proceeding.

I think that is something we need to be thinking about that is not like they can turn around and to go to TRICARE and use their local provider.

I want to associate myself with your request for the data on the backlog. That is really important, and don't sugarcoat it.

Are you suggesting our healthcare system in this country is screwed up?

I suspect you would agree that this is something the VA should be gearing up for in a very serious way.

It is truly. It is, and it is quite disturbing that veterans, more or less, have to go around and shop for a doctor specialized in this care.

The VA isn't within the purview of this committee, but clearly, it is a continuum of concern that we have about our military people, whether they are in Service or veterans.

I don't believe the VA has the ability to move three moves ahead or to see that where the need is coming until they have the problem.

The challenge of forming a government among competing factions with Cabinet ministries in a sufficient ratio to receive parliamentary approval is very, very difficult.

Imagine 80 million war refugees coming to the United States over the period of about 2 years.

The population of Lebanon is a little bit over 4 million and there is nearly a million--by many accounts, more than a million--Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

Lebanon deserves our attention and continued investment and partnership.

Lebanon is at a crossroads.

The dairy producers that I have spoken with are calling on the USDA Secretary to undertake a study of alternatives and to agree to hold prehearings on such alternatives as a basic component of the USDA's fundamental mission to the dairy…

I understand that the Dairy Industry Advisory Committee has recommended that the Secretary take such action and review interested party proposals to address class III and class IV pricing formula changes in a participatory and transparent…

I thank the Senator for her response. The dairy producers in Maine have told me that they believe that it will take just such a thorough review of proposals from interested parties, to help address concerns from industry, assist with the…

I commend the Senator from Michigan, her committee and staff for their tireless work that has brought this farm bill to fruition. Further, I greatly appreciate the Senator's willingness to discuss an issue that is absolutely critical for…

So a long-term strategy, not a short-term emergency strategy, is what we really need to be looking at.

If two-thirds of the American economy is driven by consumer spending and the income is going to the top 1 percent...

On the other hand, we cannot ignore this. I mean, the debt, just the interest on the debt, if we have a 1-percent increase in the interest we are paying on our current Federal debt--1 percent--which I think everyone agrees is likely within…

I hope you will convey that sentiment to the White House, please.

I think you have articulated an intelligent strategy, which is be careful about short-term, abrupt fiscal changes to deal with the debt.

I think interest rates are a ticking time bomb, and if they return to 5 or 6 percent, we would be paying over $1 trillion a year in interest.

We need to think about reducing the debt itself, and certainly reducing the deficit.