I hope the witnesses will address these questions thoroughly. I thank them for being here today and eagerly await their answers.

The VA suffers under the perception of being a very isolated institution, and it has a stigma.

Regulations play a critical role in ensuring the health and safety of Americans.

The whole idea of strengthening the economy, creating jobs, safer--safer conditions for citizens, the unintended impeding of everyday government action, and the strengthening of America.

Congress should act to make it a crime for businesses to recklessly expose consumers or workers to deadly products or working conditions.

H.R. 4078 represents the ultimate in legislative foolhardiness.

Finally, there isn't any credible evidence that regulations have any substantive impact on job creation.

This is legislatively unwise because the measure fails to acknowledge the fact that regulations play a critical role in ensuring the health and safety of Americans as well as through the economic well-being of our Nation.

The Freeze Act would give the economy a much needed boost and it deserve the Subcommittee's attention.

To give job creators some breathing room, Mr. Griffin, in his bill, has introduced the Regulatory Freeze for Jobs Act of 2012.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

With more of our servicemembers returning home each day, we cannot afford to let any opportunity to better support our veterans pass us by.

I look forward to hearing from all of our distinguished guests today. Thank you, Madam Chair, and I yield back.

This hearing is intended to open up the broader thought process and better understanding on how the VA and community organizations collaborate to support veterans and their families.

I think there is a definition problem because those are not--none of them are rural.

I think they should not be left behind.

Where partnerships exist, they need to be strengthened. Where they don't, they need to be fostered.

In reference to our Subcommittee on Health hearing entitled, 'Building Bridges Between VA and Community Organizations to Support Veterans and Families,' that took place on February 27, 2012.