to say that we weren't part of this in terms of allowing Alan Gross to be--to work on a project and you didn't disclose in the contract that he could be subject to arrest based on the laws of another country I think is outrageous.

This is not just about LGBT; it is about how you treat your people across the board.

It is really important to understand that history and where we are now.

I want you to, or at least I am encouraging you to look at other countries and review other countries where we have significant global and HIV funding which also have similar laws on the books

I am concerned, however, that PEPFAR really has been flat funded for a couple of years in your budget

Part of the issue is the void that has been left as a result of the lack of focus of the United States as it relates to Africa.

I am equally as committed to the promotion of human rights everywhere in the world, just as my colleagues are.

I want to ask you--and I was glad to see MCC's breakdown as it relates to the involvement of women-owned, minority-owned companies.

I want to commend the President and Secretary for this meeting.

I would like to get a handle on why you are proposing to cut the TB budget, particularly in light of the strong relationship between HIV and AIDS and TB.

some of us believe that you do and that the whole goal is regime change.

I am pleased to have the nomination of Judge Carolyn McHugh before the Senate today. Throughout her life Judge McHugh has demonstrated a commitment to the highest standards of academic excellence, professional distinction, and public…

we will be getting a letter, yes. And again, it should have come much sooner than this.

I just wanted to mention a couple of things. I have a mother who is 89 with COPD.

last August, I along with 80 of my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives sent you a letter expressing our support for NIH funding of social, behavioral, and economic research

I am really worried about these budget cuts and the fact that it doesn't really now appear that that is a priority.

Also I have heard from hospitals in California that there is really a need for more sustained funding for coordination with hospital preparedness programs as it relates to sort of an integrated training with local and Federal responders.

I can't sit here and let you say that you didn't get, we didn't get bipartisan support when, in fact, the President and our leadership reached out, incorporated many of your suggestions.

So that is one of the missions of the Institute, yet the funding does not seem to follow the huge job that we have asked you to do.

Thank you. And still no cure.

The cessation of smoking, of course, is the number one preventive behavior change.

I guess I wanted to ask a few questions first with regard to partnerships with research universities as it relates to research on infectious diseases and treatments.

I want to thank you, Chairman Kingston and Ranking Member, for this very important hearing today.

I would like to see a report as it relates to minority-serving institutions, how they fare.

Despite overwhelming public support, we have really been unable to act on something as noncontroversial as background checks.