All Quotes

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.

I know in my State of Maine, it is a very welcoming place for military installations of this sort.

Locating the site in an area where it is not welcomed by the population I don't think would be wise.

The discussion draft bill to be proposed by Representative Michaud, entitled the 'Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Planning Reform Act of 2013,' would establish new planning and budgeting processes.

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

Before we budget and appropriate dollars, we must plan and program.

Advance appropriations can provide fiscal stability during uncertain times.

I thank my colleagues who have already supported the bill, and ask those who haven't to join us in truly Putting Veterans' Funding First.

Veterans deserve better from us.

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

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…

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.

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

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

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

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