The Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act will strengthen access to care in underserved areas while giving hospitals greater financial stability.

That's a problem. If Mr. Pulte is gonna be there for an indefinite period, then I can’t vote for an extension.

Pulte is the major stumbling block for people like myself and Mark Warner, who are generally supportive because of the importance of the program.

Mr. Tierney, I'm worried about sort of counter currents going on here. One is whistleblower protection, which you've talked about, and, investigating claims and protecting whistleblowers. And, you know, at the same time, last year, it was…

I would hope as the legal counsel in this situation that you would inform whoever's setting up these NDAs that that language must be in there, that says this does not include whistleblower complaints and the protections are left intact…

It’s a privilege to help preserve his story in the Library of Congress.

Why should anybody partner with you when, on the one hand, you're saying, well, here are our terms and conditions, but by the way, we're not going to give you the money that we've historically given you year after year?

"I'm uncomfortable with your discussion about independence if you won't answer that question directly," Senator King concluded firmly.

Leo J. Deon Jr. is one of the millions of Americans who selflessly served our country, putting himself in harm’s way to protect Americans—and American interests—at home and abroad.

"Veterans and military families should not see the value of their earned benefits undercut by rising costs," said Senator King.

"This bipartisan legislation helps ensure that disability compensation and survivor benefits keep pace with inflation and continue to provide stability for the men and women who served our country and the families who stand beside them,"

So, another way to look at it in perspective is that number represents 3/10 of 1% of the proposed increase in the defense budget this year to $1.5 trillion.

That's a euphemism for we've got the gold mine, you get the shaft. You're shafting the states and the tribes.

Veterans earned their benefits through service and sacrifice, and no one should be allowed to profit by scamming them out of what they've earned.

These so-called ‘claims sharks’ prey on veterans at some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives.

Mr. Vance, in your opening statement, you use the word independence 4 or 5 times, which I really appreciate.

Energy dominance. You use that term 3 or 4 times. If $4.30 gas and almost $6 diesel is energy dominance, I'd rather go back to what we had before.

Again, if there is a study or a rational basis for the cuts being made, I just don't see it.

We don't have any interest in what happens in Ukraine, is what you’re saying? It’s only the Europeans?

There was $400 million appropriated last year by a bipartisan bicameral act of Congress. What has become of that money? My understanding is not a dollar of it has been dispersed.

So, I believe and I would like your view, that a more diverse energy source, particularly one that's based on resources that we control rather than a worldwide price, would be beneficial to the country.

Nobody is saying shut down renewable or baseload prematurely.

I'm uncomfortable with your discussion about independence if you won't answer that question directly.

I would understand that, but has been an outside consultant's study of the staff size or internal study? If there has been such, I would certainly like to see it.

I think, Mr. Chairman, that’s one of the things we need to do, is authorize, Medicare to get much more active in the prevention area.