I'm very excited to be able to hold a hearing on this topic, as I have been a strong supporter of minority serving institutions since before I came to the U.S. Senate.

we need to work more closely with the K-12 system.

If we want to remain globally competitive and expand our college access and completion rates, we should support the education goals of under-represented minorities.

We need to ensure that every student has access to a quality education.

I don't think that we can forget students who are underprepared by the K through 12 system.

I couldn't agree more. And with that, I really want to thank all of our witnesses today for being here...

As chair of the Senate Budget Committee, I know an educated workforce is critical for our long-term economic and fiscal outlook.

It is absolutely essential that the teaching force look more like the students who they are going to serve.

I mandated that a course be taught, but we need to do more.

a mind is a terrible thing to waste, and we must be investing in it.

I am one of the biggest proponents of STEM education in the Senate, because it is so important for the jobs today.

So in a State that expanded it, she would have had access where in the 24 States that have not expanded it, there are these huge numbers of people.

I led a group of 15 Senators, calling on the Inspector General and GAO to conduct an independent investigation into the causes of the technical design and the implementation failures.

These are some of the most vulnerable citizens in our society who will continue to seek care in emergency rooms, and then will leave chronic conditions unmanaged.

I am committed to finding a balanced solution that is going to put an end to sequestration in future years.

I think it is very important that we take notice of this.

We are also thankful to those on this committee who have been supportive of this bill, including Senator Casey of Pennsylvania and Senator Kay Hagan of North Carolina.

I rise to join with my colleagues in addressing an issue that affects women and families across America every day; that is, wage discrimination. Over 50 years have passed since the Equal Pay Act was signed into law to require that men and…

We're going to go ahead and start because we do have several votes.

What new initiatives are you developing to enhance the quality and diversity of the DOD science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workforce?

What is the status of the implementation of these authorities and the delegation of the flexibilities to the laboratory directors?

We would appreciate your continued support for human resource flexibilities, such as the direct hiring authorities authorized in the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2014.

what can this committee do to support efforts to improve the quality of STEM education being provided to military children?

I come to the Senate floor today to discuss an issue of enormous importance to my State, our country, and future generations. I thank my colleagues for bringing attention to the critical issue of climate change earlier this week. This is a…

I wish to speak today in support of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014. First, I applaud the hard work of my colleagues on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee--Chairman Tom Harkin and Ranking…