Im congressman mark takano. I represent californias 41st Congressional District and serve as chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. On behalf of the House Democrats, i would like to start by wishing all of our veterans a happy veterans day. We cannot thank you enough for your service and sacrifice. I also want to thank nancy pelosi for her partnership and abiding commitment to advocate for our nations veterans. Throat 2020, our committee has worked diligently to advocate for veterans and ensure with the department of Veterans Affairs is equipped to carry out its first mission. Serving our veterans, even as we confront the covid19 pandemic. We also have opportunities for student veterans, to provide timely updates and information on its coronavirus response. Continue to prioritize Veterans Mental Health and continue to exercise our legislative and oversight functions. House democrats, also ensured a balloon water and Navy Veterans who were exposed to agent orange finally g
Ill go ahead and get us started. Very good. All right. Good morning, everyone. I am Cathy Mcmorris rodgers, and with me is congressman Sanford Bishop. Together we cochair of the congressional military family caucus. Weve been doing this for a number of years. Today we are hosting our First Virtual congressional military family summit, and we are excited that all of you have joined us. We would prefer to gather in person. However, this way we have more people than ever that are joining us. There is an advantage to doing this virtually, and we have a great lineup. Where the great agenda i just appreciate anyone who has taken the time that is helped organize and going to offer perspectives. Our goal is to make sure that we are knowledgeable and ready to advocate on your behalf. Thank you everyone thats been involved in making this happen. I want to do a you to everyone in georgia and Washington State, the military leaders that have joined us, and military men and women that are currently
Within minority communities toward the medical industry. Thank you to all of our witnesses and, of course, my colleagues for joining us. Todays reading is about the extraordinary effort underway to develop a vaccine to prevent covid19, safe and effective vaccine could hasten the end to this disastrous pandemic. But the herd immunity that would in covid19 once and for all requires all of us, all of us to get vaccinated. For that we need public trust in this entire vaccine project. Around the globe nearly 200 vaccine candidates are being developed and over 20 have entered human Clinical Trials. In the United States, five entered human Clinical Trials with large Clinical Trials that begins later this month. With a historic all hands on deck effort underway around the globe, the timeline to develop a vaccine may be compressed from several years down to just 12 or 18 months. However, moving with this amazing speedos not and must not allow for getting any corners. Today we will how we must p
Circuit. Lawmakers will also vote to limit debate on Adrian Zuckerman to be u. S. Ambassador to romania. Both votes are expected to happen at 11 30 a. M. Eastern. Youre watching live coverage of the senate on cspan2. The president pro tempore the senate will come to order. The chaplain, dr. Barry black, will open the senate with prayer. The chaplain let us pray. Listen to our prayers, almighty god. Let not our nation be ashamed. You are our mighty rock and fortress. Lead and guide us, enabling us to honor your name. Protect our lawmakers from the hidden traps that can derail freedom. Remind them that the truth aloe will make us free. Show yourself strong, even to those who strive to save themselves. Manifest your might to all. May our senators trust you, sek your wisdom, and obey your precepts. We pray in your mighty name. Amen. The president pro tempore please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to our flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america, and
The subcommittee on water oceans good morning. The subcommittee on water, oceans, and wildlife will come to order. This subcommittee is mint street hear testimony on h. R. 2245, the cecil act. And committee rule, any oral statement that there are limited to the chairman and the Ranking Member. The vice chair and the vice Ranking Member. This allows us to get from our witnesses soon and helps members keep their schedule. I asked anonymous consent all of the members Opening Statements be made part of the hearing record if they are submitted to the subcommittee clerk by 5 p. M. Today or the close of hearing whichever comes first. During no objection, it is so ordered. One other bit of housekeeping. Im told votes are expected in about 30 minutes. That will interrupt our hearing this morning. We will recess for those votes and then we will come back as soon as we can get that finish line apologist for the inconvenient but sometimes thats what we have to do things around here. Good morning.