We would not have connectivity and all that it brings to our schools and libraries if it were not for E-Rate.

In closing, libraries are vital community technology hubs, and we simply cannot allow inadequate bandwidth to be the limiting factor for what our students and our nations can achieve.

Maine was a forerunner in the one-to-one computing trend with then-Governor Angus King working hard to provide all our middle-school students with laptop computers.

Our students need one-on-one personal devices.

They ensure requested resources are sufficient to meet the current and future needs of veterans.

My bill recognizes VA's current efforts and intended to support these efforts while making sure Congress has access to the information we need to do our job.

Because if I remember correctly, the President actually supported mandatory funding during the campaign.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, for holding this very important hearing this morning.

Before we budget and appropriate dollars, we must plan in programs.

We have got to have something, I think, in writing as we deal with VA's budget.

I am kind of a little concerned that you do not want to codify it in statute.

Why OMB does not want this is just amazing since it is a small portion of VA budget.

It might be worthwhile maybe in September, to haul OMB in here and see how they are coming along with their big vision.

I would like to thank you for the opportunity to be here to testify today.

It's not a commission. It's--and I am glad that The American Legion is looking at fiscal matters because that is what the whole idea behind this is, is to force VA, Members of Congress, the VSOs, to look forward, to plan ahead, so that we will not be wasting money and that is the whole idea, but it's not a commission.

we do want to work towards that goal and we think it's a worthy goal.

In The Independent Budget for Fiscal Year 2014 we recommended that Congress debate and consider authorizing advance appropriations for all VA accounts.

In my closing--opening statement, I mentioned change is hard and not everyone will be comfortable with the changes, I know, in the draft legislation, and I think there is also some misconception about it.