Before we begin the markup, id like to extend a special welcome. Recognizing that this is their home, i think its important theyre with us here today, so we welcome them. Id also like to add just a farewell at the same time we acknowledge a welcome. I dont see angela, but shes over there. But Angela Becker dipman who has been senator cantwells staff director i understand is moving back to the west coast and that this is perhaps your last day on the committee or last week on the committee. And i just i want to acknowledge the work that you have done. I think that certainly the staffs on our side have enjoyed the working relationship weve had with you through some interesting and challenging issues, and your leadership has been greatly appreciated. So know were going to miss you here. So thank you. [applause] so lets get to work here. We are here to markup legislation to allow responsible Energy Development in a small portion of the nonwilderness 1002 area in northeast alaska. Were repor
Please come to order. ,odays hearing is on alex azar the nominee to serve as secretary of the department of health and Human Services. The committee will vote on the nomination. Senator murray and i will each have an Opening Statement and then the former secretary and governor of you call who we younge today, and senator who is a member of this committee, will introduce mr. Azar. Senators will each have five minutes of questions. We have a lot going on today in the senate but we already have a good turnout, so i anticipate a good, vigorous questioning. Hes confirmed to lead the department of health and Human Services, you will run a 1. 1 trillion organization, that almost signals the total of 12 Appropriations Bills that Congress Passes each year to find everything from National Parks to National Defense to national laboratories. You will be overseeing medicare and medicaid. Our nations government run Insurance Programs for the poor and elderly, Mental Health and substance abuse, or yo
This in the committee will please come to order. Cesars hearing is on alex alex azar. While the Health Committee holds a courtesy hearing on the nomination, the finance committee receives the paperwork and will vote on the nomination. Senator murray and i will each of the Opening Statement and then former secretary and former governor of utah who we welcome today. Good to have you back. Senator young who is a member of this committee will introduce mr. Azar after his testimony, signatures will each have five minutes of questions. We have a lot going on in the senate but we have a good turnout so i anticipate a good, vigorous questioning. Lead,ar confirmed to youll the leading a 1. 11 trillion organization that equals the total of the 12 Appropriations Bills that Congress Passes each year to Fund Everything from National Parks to laboratories. Youll be overseeing medicare and medicaid. Our nations government run Insurance Programs for the poor and elderly, Mental Health and substance ab
Vote on the nomination. Senator murray and i will each have an Opening Statement and then former secretary and former governor Michael Leavitt who we welcome today good to see you and have you back and senator young, a member of this committee will introduce mr. Azar. After his testimony, each will have five minutes of questions. I anticipate a good, vigorous questioning time. Azar, you will be running a 1. 1 trillion organization. That almost equals the total of the 12 appropriation Bills Congress passes each year to find everything from National Parks to National Defense to national laboratories. You would be overseeing medicare and medicaid, our nations Insurance Programs for the poor and elderly. Mental health and substance abuse, where you will have to address the europe your crisis other issues. The National Institutes of health where with Francis Collins excellent leadership the United States is leading efforts to develop a cure for new treatmentd for cancer. The fda, where Scot
[gavel pounding] [indiscernible] attorney general sessions, welcome. For all the people in the audience, we welcome you as well. Think general set thank general sessions were being here that attorney general sessions were being here for the oversight hearing. His is an opportunity for congress to investigate and question the policies and actions of any executive branch. It is an opportunity for the executive branch to take any of thosey for policies and actions, and an toortunity for congress defend its constitutional powers and check any abuses by an overreaching executive branch, and it has been that way for 230 years. That wee complained have not had an oversight hearing with this attorney general earlier. Was that for deferring the attorney general should have his team in place before appearing before us. Certainly, attorney general holder and attorney general did have their respective teams well in place by the time they appeared here as you are now here. The other side has been b