Thad Cochran: “So we welcome these efforts. And we hope that we can work with the Department to put the money where the problem is and…”

Mr. Chairman, let me join you in congratulating our panel here and the participation you're bringing to this challenge.

We appreciate very much your leadership in the research effort and we commend you and those who work with you for helping make sure we have what we need in order to make our nation safe and secure.

I am concerned that the 22 percent funding cut proposed for NIH could negatively affect longstanding research endeavors.

I understand that the Army's unfunded requirements list includes a $3.1 billion increase in end strength beyond the fiscal year 2017 NDAA mandate.