I am very worried about sequestration and budget cuts and the impact on our ability to make sure our families have the cures that they are really counting on.

I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business, and that following me, the Senator from Washington be allowed to speak. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Oso Mudslide

almost 1 year ago, on a calm Saturday morning in the small town of Oso, more than a square mile of mud rushed down a mountainside in my home State of Washington. In a matter of seconds, dozens of homes were destroyed, dozens of people were…

I come to the floor with a simple message for our Republican colleagues: Enough is enough. The bill we are debating today, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, should without question be bipartisan because the bill about combating…

Providers are reporting difficulty achieving meaningful exchange of electronic health information across electronic health records produced by different vendors.

I'm really focused on making sure that we expand coverage, make coverage more affordable, and, critically, ensuring we continue to improve the quality of care that patients receive.

yesterday I came to the floor with a very clear message for my Republican colleagues: A bill about combatting human trafficking is no place for partisanship. It is not an opportunity to try to get a political victory for your base, and it…

I wish to say a few words about the oral arguments in King v. Burwell that took place last week. Similar to many of us on the floor today, I was here when we fought to get the Affordable Care Act passed. I know firsthand our top priority…

we are debating a bill today that should be about an issue we can all agree on--eliminating human trafficking. This bill should be about protecting women's health and rights and about fighting back against the unacceptable presence of…

I wanted to commend you for requesting $37.5 million for vouchers to support victims of domestic violence.

I really believe, General, that this issue needs your personal attention. Can you give me your commitment on that?

We need more investments in Washington State, certainly not more cuts, and I just wanted to say I really hope that you will really protect those critical assets.

I also wanted to thank you for your focus on helping soldiers transition successfully when they leave the Army.

Well, I am very worried about that and how sequestration is going to impact our veterans, too.

I would just really encourage you to do that. I think it is really important to be sensitive to that issue going forward.

Increasing access to safe, affordable housing in thriving communities is really essential in expanding middle class security to more families.

I believe that we are at a truly fascinating moment in medical innovation right now.

today, with my colleague Senator Cantwell, we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, PNNL, a true example of scientific excellence located in our home State of Washington. For the past 50 years, PNNL…

together Senator Cantwell and I have been proud supporters and advocates for PNNL here in the other Washington, working to make sure our colleagues and the administration understand the important research it conducts, and the significant…

sequestration really threatens that leadership.

I hope we can reach an agreement on policies that help get safe and effective treatments to patients more quickly.

Can you commit to a full FDA review to me so we can understand----

I have a lot of appreciation for the work that you do to encourage innovation and improve health and well-being.

When patients open up their medicine cabinet, they deserve every assurance that the medicines they take are safe and effective.

It is critical that we secure and build on the United States' leadership in medical innovation.