Jim Inhofe

Dr. Hicks, if beneficiaries no longer opt-in to TRICARE, will cost-driven attrition put TRICARE's sustainability at greater risk than healthcare costs?

Dr. Hicks, are other options available for military beneficiaries that are driven out of TRICARE due to cost?

Yes, I certainly agree to that. Keep in mind I have already asked for unanimous consent not to proceed for more than 20 minutes.

The critical part of our effort in Afghanistan over the next 2 years will be our continued efforts to develop the capabilities of the ANSF.

To answer the Senator, I am not aware of the specific Risch request and what kind of response it drew. I would only say this: It is important to understand that while the distinguished Senator from Massachusetts and I differ on most of…

But I would also say that the bureaucrats who would be running the program would have points of clarification where it is otherwise vague, and I think that could happen. And the point I am making here is we don't need to do that when we…

I have been a consistent advocate for human rights around the world and support ensuring that the world is accessible to those with disabilities. However, I do not support the cumbersome regulations and potentially overzealous…

I thank the Chair. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, the quorum calls will be equally divided between the sides. The Senator from Indiana.

The treaty could be used to interfere with the ability of parents with disabled children to decide what action is in the best interests of their children.

I think we may have someone--we want to yield 5 minutes to the Senator from Utah. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from Michigan.

This amendment has been cleared on both sides. This is the one that originally we had several years ago concerning the Lord's Resistance Army in Africa and the showing that we have a policy in this country to bring this man down, the man…

I also ask to be recognized as in morning business. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.

The purpose of today's hearing is to gain a first-hand understanding of what transpired in the affected areas before, during, and after the storm.

I have long been a proponent of disaster preparedness, as we have our share of natural disasters in my home State of Oklahoma.

My thoughts and prayers continue to be with those who have been affected, and I am sure the rest of the country's are as well.

I wanted to say to Senators Whitehouse and Carper, who weren't here for the opening statements, that our colleagues on the other side could not have been more cooperative and more willing to work with us.

I think we have an opportunity here to make tremendous progress in the short term.

I would like to start by commending you, Madam Chairman, for your leadership and dedication to addressing the nation's infrastructure challenges.

Everyone knows that the Chairman and I don't always see eye to eye, but infrastructure is one of the issues that we do agree on.

It is a good idea to have this during this lame duck session because it lets people know, it reminds them that we are going to move forward with this.

I plan to continue on this Committee and be very active.

Let's get this done.

Oklahoma's--and the nation's--water resources issues, studies, and projects cannot afford to be kept waiting due to congressional inaction.

Not everyone thought we could get it done, but we proved them wrong.

I have enjoyed the ranking of the most conservative member from time to time, and always hasten to say that I may be, but I am a big spender in two areas, national defense and infrastructure.