Because this student loan debt, which has reached $1.2 trillion nationwide for 40 million borrowers, making the average student loan burden $29,000 upon graduation, is a major challenge for all of us.

The world is looking to the United States to lead on combating Zika, and I hope Congress will face the seriousness of this threat and act without delay.

This is not about confiscating firearms or restricting the sale of weapons. This is pure and simple about looking to public health experts for research on how to make our communities safe.

This is one of the most exciting hearings I attend every, every appropriations session.

The reports I have gotten are really outrageous.

This is a huge task, and much of South America and the Caribbean, including American citizens in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are looking to Congress for leadership to tackle this public health emergency.

I called on this committee to once again commit to doubling funding for the NIH.

we also have to deal with loan repayment issues.

If they could get another cycle continuing the three, four, five, six jobs, they could get out there and work with a degree.

I hope I am optimistic, and the issue is of critical importance, as you know.

I want to express our heartfelt prayers for all the families who lost loved ones in another evil act of terrorism and express our determination to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Funding for Indian Country has been and will continue to be a nonpartisan funding priority for this subcommittee for Fiscal Year 2017.