Rob Portman

Simply put, we cannot avert these massive deficits coming forward without some sort of reform of these programs.

President Trump just made a lot of promises. Rebuilding our military, cutting taxes, while important, they also create budgetary challenges.

Thank you, Chairman.

As you know, Congress recently passed legislation authored with Senator Whitehouse called CARA, our Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act.

And by the way, I appreciate your response to my colleague from Ohio about protecting people who have preexisting conditions.

We need somebody at HHS in place who can work with us to be sure that the legislative and the administrative policies are working together and that this is done carefully.

As you know, a couple of weeks ago Congress passed a budget resolution to set up a process that gives us the possibility of replacing the Affordable Care Act with policies that work better.

I believe in expanding exports. I am a former U.S. Trade Rep. And I think we are not doing enough there.

I think tax reform is one way within your purview that you can make a big difference here.

I think your very presence at the United Nations would be a reminder of that and what makes our country unique.

Israel has been talked about today, obviously a big issue at the U.N. And I would agree with what was said today about the fact that this relationship is a cornerstone of our strategy in the Middle East.

We are in a more dangerous and volatile world in part because America has not led.

I think the U.S. is asleep at the switch.

I think we can do better than the current system and that's the point.

Our amendment was about ensuring that the second step in improving the health care system for our constituents was done in a thoughtful way. We now have assurances from leadership that certainly is their intent and that this date is not a…

Would you make it a priority to counter Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions efforts against Israel?

I think this will no doubt galvanize additional BDS activity.

I have been concerned about this for a while and introduced some legislation on it.

This relationship we have with Israel is a special one, of course. It is a cornerstone of our strategy in the Middle East.

Senator Murphy and I have legislation recently signed into law that is meant to strengthen our outdated U.S. response to this disinformation and propaganda campaigns.

They feel like they are under assault every day.

I believe there is another growing threat to our national security and to the stability of our allies around the world, our democratic allies in particular.

The United States Senate is on record supporting that. The Administration has chosen not to do that.

Can you just clarify that you believe that Article 5 creates a binding obligation to assist any member of the alliance who is a victim of aggression regardless of their size or geographic location?

I like to look at it more that we are not looking to be the world's policeman but, to put it in Texas terms, more like the sheriff who gets the posse together.