it's important for us to carefully examine the Department of Defense's (DOD) military and civilian personnel systems to ensure that they meet the needs of our 21st Century workforce.

Expand lateral entry--Senator Gillibrand touched upon that--to allow more mid-career civilians to enter the military at higher ranks and on flexible terms.

Just as a national security priority, if you host a base----

Improve access to and the quality of the Department's childcare services.

The problem with requiring it of the State is that if there's a base, they're not getting tax revenue.

In my State, just like many others, there are thousands of families who will be directly affected by the decision the Supreme Court makes in the next few years--even our First Amendment speech rights, which President Trump has threatened…

The Long Island Sound contributes up to $37 billion to the regional economy each year.

I really appreciate it.

For every $1 in Federal funds appropriated to the Long Island Sound program, an additional $87 are leveraged from other sources.

one of the most important constitutional duties we as Senators have is to decide whether a Supreme Court nominee is the right person for the job. When we make a decision, we should always consider what is best for the people of this…

I rise to oppose the title X Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval. This resolution would permit discrimination against family planning healthcare providers that provide primary preventive and reproductive healthcare services…

For every $1 in Federal funds appropriated to the Long Island Sound program, $87 is leveraged from other sources.

Long Island Sound is an estuary of national significance that contributes up to $37 billion to the regional economy each year.

I wish to request that the U.S. Government officially recognize the last week in March as the Week on the Status of Black Women. During the week of March 27, 2017, as part of Women's History Month and in honor of the United Nations…

I am very grateful for this subcommittee hearing today and for including my bill, the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act, on the agenda today.

I would also ask your commitment that you will work on that program specifically to streamline it and make it available for all agricultural workers.

One area where it is particularly harmful is in agriculture because we rely on immigrant labor for a lot of our fruits, vegetables, and dairy.

We really need to do a top-to-bottom reform of how we do dairy pricing in this country.

Our rural water systems are in desperate need of investment.

When we undermine that by the way we talk about civil servants, we undermine our ability to attract and retain really highly qualified people that we need.

It is so important that we have food for our families.

I guarantee you, you throw some marines out of the Marine Corps, you say you are no longer welcome here and you are dishonorably discharged for this behavior, you do that in a high profile way.

I mean, some people use their full name and their unit, and because they participate, the frustration is what is a crime and what is not as opposed to boorish, stupid behavior.

Mr. Traver, are you aware of any civilians or military family members whose images were posted?

I strongly urge the Committee to give the legislation thoughtful consideration as we move toward reauthorization.