Patty Murray

When we see this kind of behavior by soldiers who are administering the SHARP, how much faith should we all have that this is going to come about with the cultural transformations that are so badly needed?

I think we've come a long way, and certainly from the rule and regulatory perspective, as you are aware, we have totally eliminated the past practices.

This bill is very important. It's going to help provide services to fight this sexual assault epidemic and help provide the about 26,000 servicemembers who were sexually assaulted last year with the support they need.

I appreciate you and Senator Ayotte taking the lead on this and really looking at how we can be effective and efficient.

I think it is really important that this task force move forward.

The more we can save by doing it efficiently, the better off we will be as a country.

Many people just don't want the NLRB to function at all.

I believe it is really important... that we move to act quickly, approve this package of five nominees.

It's a hearing about whether we believe the laws of our country that protect workers and employers alike should be enforced.

I have heard some claim that this is a hearing about our unions. But that is inaccurate.

It's noteworthy that many of these problems arose about the same time that a prolonged attack on the NLRB commenced.

This is a hearing very much about the vision and future of our country.

I want to make sure that the project is not delayed as a result of this process, which may jeopardize the project's eligibility for State and Federal funding opportunities.

The VFW thanks Senator Murray for taking the lead on this issue

As always, we are grateful to Senator Murray for her continued stalwart and thoughtful leadership as we move toward the goal of parity in health care for women who have served their country well in military service.

The Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvements of 2013, introduced by Senator Murray, we are for this bill strongly.

The Senator is correct. Mr. McCONNELL. Parliamentary inquiry: Are we making a speech?

The Senator from Louisiana is correct. The UC I am requesting simply takes us to conference so the House and the Senate Members can agree--Republicans and Democrats alike--to work toward a bipartisan solution.

There is a UC before the Senate. If no one objects, I would be happy to answer a question.

Having represented Eastern Washington and Fairchild Air Force Base in the Senate for more than 20 years, I know that a unique combination of resources makes Fairchild one of our Nation's top military installations.

The issue in the fact that 62 percent of the sexual assault victims were retaliated against means that, when they said something, their chain of command officer made sure that they paid the price. That's just wrong.

We believe that chain of command needs to change, so that someone can file a claim and not be fearful of being demoted, losing their job, not getting a good assignment, all the things that goes along with that.

I adamantly believe it's the wrong policy, wrong time. It needs to be replaced.

I would ask unanimous consent to speak for 5 minutes on the nomination of Sylvia Mathews Burwell. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Baldwin). Without objection, it is so ordered.

I strongly support the Administration's goal of expanding access to high-quality early learning opportunities.