I must say I have been asking this question for months, and I was pleased to hear from the Secretary that this is an absolute given if there is going to be a deal.

I am particularly pleased to be here today, and I cannot help but think what a great privilege you have to have this extraordinary portfolio, and how privileged we are to have you in that position, so I thank you for your service and your…

Our objective, as an administration, again, which I assume is a shared objective, is: What can we do to defuse tensions?

I was glad to hear that the Liberian Government is planning their own initiative to rebuild their health system.

I hope you will assure the members of this committee that any final deal will verifiably close all possible pathways to a bomb.

The administration's fiscal year 2016 proposal calls for investments in research, education, training, and infrastructure.

I believe it is in our national security interest that the United States unequivocally continues to stand by our democratic partner, Israel.

How will these programs be more effective than in the past? What makes them different?

Have we weakened the resolve of the world community by providing sanctions relief in the interim deal?

Clearly, the international warning system for disease outbreaks failed the people of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.

While the Supreme Leader of Iran has said--and I quote--'I will go along with any agreement that could be made, of course, if it is not a bad deal,' we have every reason to question Iran's real intentions, given their track record.

The U.N. is instrumental in advancing our national security interests around the world and in helping confront terrorism, nuclear proliferation, infectious disease, extreme poverty, and environmental degradation.