Thank you for being here today, mr. Secretary. Thank you for coming today. Bringing you cast of thousands. Youve got a lot of support here today. Big budget, big support. Were proud to have secretary mcdonald be here today. We were proud to have in order danny, doctor, thanks. Ronald waters. Laverne counsel. Ed murray. We appreciate all of you. With all that support, mr. Secretary, im sure youre going to do a great job. Ill make my Opening Statement and then turn to blumenthal then to your testimony. I dont want you to feel compelled by any fiveminute light. I want you to say what youve got to say. I understand the average Attention Span of the United States senator is about nine minutes. After that we all start blinking. Speaking for myself. Thats selfimposed limitation. Thank you very much, mr. Secretary, for being here today. Were looking forward to discussing the 182 billion budgetary appropriation. It would be an 8. 9 increase. Should it be adopted, medical funding would increase
It is us simple truth. When the middle class succeeds, america succeeds. Our recognition of that truth benefits action orchestrating recovery and the focus on purchasing power of working families the economy needs today. We must see better paychecks, infrastructure it innovation and manufacture more products in the United States. Only by laying a Firm Foundation for growth which the president talked about in his state of the Union Address, based on Ambitious Goals for our future can we secure and maintain a vibrant middle class. Only by focusing on working families can we reignite the American Dream and step into a new era of american prosperity. Thank you for the opportunity. [applause] i want to say we apologize for the state of that microphone but it was a set up to show you are no allowed no obstacles to your voice this morning. To ask you about the impact on the middle class, one of the most Important News stories in the country right now. I referred to Pete Carrolls decision to c
Here is mitt romney announcing his decision. Good morning. This is mitt. Let me let you know who was on the call. Theres a large number people who signed on to be leaders of our 2016 finance effort. In addition, state political leaders here for several of the primary states on the line. Here in new york city and on the phone are people who have been helping me think through how to build a new team, as well as supporters from the past who have all been kind enough to volunteer their time during the celebration stage. Welcome, and thank you. Your loyalty and friendship, and your desire to see the country with new conservative leadership does in fact warm my heart. After putting considerable thought into making another run for president , ive decided its best to give other leaders in the party the opportunity to be our next nominee. Let me give you my thinking. First, im convinced that with the health of the people on this call, we could win the nomination. We would have enough funding to
I was born and raised in West Point, and graduated from Central Catholic. My wife Donna and I have four children and fourteen grandchildren. We are very fortunate and proud