James Lankford

So, give me a best guess on time, on when we're trying to actually move to implementation on some of these areas.

There are some ongoing meetings about this, but this is a very serious issue of contraband cellphones getting into correctional facilities and then literally running criminal organizations from inside of the prisons.

But, we want to make sure that Lifeline funding is more targeted to the rural areas of Oklahoma, to folks who are on the wrong side of the digital divide.

So, for example, the metropolitan area of Tulsa, which is one of the top 15 markets in the United States, has relatively robust communications competition and services the low prices.

Where are we now on dealing with Lifeline to make sure that we maintain the program, but we also maintain its validity?

I think during the national conversation with the Epipen, a lot of people learned for the first time what a pharmacy benefit manager makes and how this works in the system, and were a little shocked at the process.

I do want to associate myself with everything that Senator Coons said about robocalls.

Most people that I talk to on net neutrality, they assume, because FCC is not going to do any more, that no one will.

They're wanting to be able to get it moving. That makes complete sense, and I get that.

Is there a need to be able to extend that out and say, 'If we run out of time...'

So, do you think there is enough time for them to be able to do that?

In Oklahoma, there are sections that I can look at on the map, as well, that I know full well there's no cell service there, and certainly not broadband mobile access in those areas.

Dealing with transparency issues for the edge providers, for the content providers, do you have what you need, as far as regulatory authority?

I now turn to my colleague and friend, Ranking Member Senator Coons, for his opening remarks.

I think you've been in this chair 3 weeks, 4 weeks--what has it been?

I look forward to hearing how the FCC plans to execute these goals using the requested budget authority.

I look forward to a thoughtful discussion of the steps the FCC and the FTC will take to preserve an open and accountable and accessible Internet.

This hearing is very timely, considering the recent debate in the Senate dealing with the open Internet.

I look forward to collaborating with our Ranking Member and the entire committee on the fiscal year 2019 bill.

Transparency has been a major piece, and there's been multiple lawsuits that have gone for several years dealing with the FCC.

We've got 60,000-plus Americans died from overdoses to drugs last year, so there are a lot of lives on the line counting on what you're doing.

I think a 30-day, 45-day even, is a reasonable amount of time to be able to go through a Secret clearance.

I remain concerned that we may still be underestimating Russian capabilities and plans to influence the 2018 midterm and future elections.

I believe that our mission in the intelligence community will win the day.

I think in the end state we should be able to clear 80 or 90 percent of those within 30 days.