Thad Cochran

I am encouraged that the Senate will soon complete consideration of the Energy and Water Development appropriations bill. This legislation funds important components of our national defense, invests in our waterways and flood control…

I don't want to continue to subscribe to this Russian engine any longer than we have to, but I think it is shortsighted for us to just say, as some in the authorizing committee have said, 'We're cutting them off cold turkey. We're finished…

We want to welcome our panel of witnesses today to our hearing on the budget request for defense appropriations on the fiscal year 2017 defense innovation and research budget request.

This subcommittee has been a strong advocate of science and technology investments and has ensured funding to make certain our Nation can maintain its role as the world's leader in technology and innovation.

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much for your participation in this hearing and the assistance that you have provided to this committee.

We would like to hear when you don't want money someday, because money by itself is not everything.

The Vice President is talking about making researchers who use NIH funds share their data.

Mr. Chairman, thank you for this follow-up hearing. It gives us an opportunity to check in again with the status of what can be gleaned now from the Jackson Heart Study.

I am pleased that the NIH has shown a commitment to including IDeA States in the Pediatric Clinical Trials Network.

I want to first express my appreciation to Senator Blunt and Senator Murray for their leadership last year on the significant increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health, which I am glad to support.

I have a sore subject that I hate to bring up, because it has been hanging out here for 10 years, but I am going to bring it up again until I wear it out or I retire or run off or get run off.

Brigade Combat Teams are a critical structure required for the defense of the nation and any loss of Brigade Combat Team capacity in the Army National Guard would prove costly in terms of time and resources to regenerate.

Given the numerous crises occurring throughout the world, would you recommend the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team or any other Brigade Combat Team be divested?

I fully support any increase in funding directed toward the Counterdrug program and TCs.

How important is it that you have budget certainty that the 155th will be there for you?

We are reviewing this morning the proposed budget request for the National Guard and Reserve.

Despite fiscal and global uncertainties, our Guardsmen and Reservists have done an outstanding job of answering the call.

The Guard and Reserve provide one-third of the personnel currently serving in our armed services.

It is very important for this Committee to 'get it right.'

We need to be sure that we understand the best that is in our national interest, and that we provide the funding that is needed for the important programs that come under the jurisdiction of this subcommittee.

I especially want to compliment Barbara Mikulski for her outstanding service on this subcommittee and how much we are going to miss her.

Busing is not a bad word. If it were not for busing, I do not know what our schools would do.

Thank you, Senator Murkowski, for your leadership on these issues and your contribution to the debate.

The budget request proposes a consolidation of TRICARE and modest increases in pharmacy co-pays and in enrollment fees.