Thad Cochran: “Madam Chair, let me join you in thanking our panel of witnesses for being here today and helping us understand some of…”

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

And I plan to use my best efforts to identify the areas that we can make improvements in, and take a hard look, but at the same time realize we need to get a bill.

We want to know what the priorities are for funding.

I wish to honor former Senator Pete V. Domenici of New Mexico, who passed away September 13 in Albuquerque. It was a privilege to call Pete a friend and to work with him as a Senate colleague and member of the Appropriations Committee…