Tammy Baldwin

I believe it is best accomplished through robust Buy America policies.

We need to fund the VA Inspector General at a level that aligns with their oversight responsibility and the growth of the VA's own budget and new initiatives.

I really have to say I don't understand why it would take so long to implement this particular change that simply serves to protect our veterans and their identities.

In the fiscal year 2018 Omnibus legislation, Senator Moran and I worked to include bill language requiring the VA to stop using social security numbers of veterans as identifiers for them.

I will be requesting additional data for the Madison and Milwaukee VA Medical Centers and also some national data by year.

One of the highlights that I saw in the VA budget request was that the Administration once again requested full funding for the Jason Simcakoski Memorial and Promise Act.

I would like to pursue the earlier line of questioning between the Chair and Mr. Norman about the predation of threatened and endangered steelhead and salmon by sea lions in the Pacific Northwest.

We have to have as much information as we can in order to base management decisions on.

On the Canadian side of the border, they have these research stations where they study on an annual basis, an ongoing basis.

We need to look at renewable energy sources so we can get away from these dams.

I certainly agree that we don't know nearly enough, but I think it calls for much greater funding for this basic research.

The problem, as multiple courts have found over many years, is that the National Marine Fisheries Service hasn't done an adequate job under the Endangered Species Act in consulting under that statute.

Climate change poses growing threats to my home state of Wisconsin and we know that Great Lakes Region also and, frankly, the world.

Absolutely, absolutely. So I want to greet our distinguished witnesses today and thank you for coming to testify before our Subcommittee.

I believe we must be guided, as previous generations were, by the commitment to protect these important species so that they continue to rebound and thrive in the future.

I think of it as a state with three coasts, three freshwater coasts, the East Coast of Lake Michigan, the North Coast of Lake Superior, and the West Coast of the St. Croix River, and the Mighty Mississippi River.

Thank you, and if I can first respond to your words of welcome, it is a delight to get to join you as the Ranking Democrat on this Subcommittee.

The funding is spotty to non-existent.

I've also seen reports that the Marine Corps may be looking to increase the JLTV acquisition objective from 5,500 vehicles to more than 9,000.

Neither of which meet the standards set by President Trump to support U.S. manufacturing and the American workers and build a 355-ship Navy.

It's the industrial base, specifically the LCS shipyard in my home State of Wisconsin, that I'm concerned will be hurt by this budget request.

I have heard from constituents, including family-owned compounding pharmacies in Wisconsin that have a reputation for quality, who have serious concerns that the draft MOU defines 'distribution' to include 'dispensing.'

Our dairy farmers are in crisis right now. They are seeing very, very challenging times.

I would say for the record that I do not believe that there needs to be further review or study. What we need is the FDA to act and issue guidance on enforcement of its existing dairy standards of identity.

It is time for the FDA to act.