Senator Isakson, we hope that you will make it way past 69, and when you get up to age 89, if you do not have life annuities, you could well be running out of resources, and many American citizens will be in that position.

Madam President, this year Congress has not particularly been noted for much of an accomplishment of anything. We have been in cloture atrophy and we have been in political atrophy, but we are about to change that for a day. I want to…

Social Security may have been intended as that letter you read from 1935 portended. It may have been intended to be your retirement program, but we all know we cannot afford a program that would be a retirement program in the 21st century.

Thank you for this opportunity to testify in favor of the Risk Retention Modernization Act of 2014.

Congress was correct in assuming that risk retention groups would add capital to the insurance market.

In closing, risk retention groups have dramatically improved risk management and provided tailored coverages for specialized niches.

I think, to the extent that there is liability, obviously there is liability inside of our industries as well as others.

Many nonprofits, small schools, churches, and small businesses buy packaged policies that RRGs cannot write today.

Let me tell what you what the Liability Risk Retention Act Modernization legislation will not do.

It seems like we ought to have a very thorough examination of the capacity situation in terms of the VA.

Except that wants and needs are two different things, and the need is the most important.

If true, there must be reforms and serious consequences. And if true, this Committee will act swiftly and decisively.

The question before us today is not the quality of health care delivered to veterans by VA. The question is access to the quality of care.

I think the senior leadership is disserving the American veteran.

Madam President, I yield back all time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, all time is yielded back. Pursuant to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the Senate the pending cloture motion, which the clerk will state. The legislative…

Well, I just--I have read this entire eight-page memorandum and there is no gray area.

for the sake of the integrity of the Veterans Administration, you need to find out if there is an accountability system

Well, thank you for calling the hearing, Mr. Chairman.