Purchase cards simplify the often-cumbersome practice of procurement. The use of purchase cards by Federal agencies, including the VA, is estimated to save these agencies $1.7 billion per year.

I am happy to work with you. I think, in a bipartisan way, there are folks that want to work with you to make this work.

I want to follow up on a visit that I had last week to White River Junction Hospital in Vermont serving most of my district in New Hampshire.

That is why I introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator McCaskill to improve accountability at the VA by requiring the Secretary to claw back bonuses that were paid to VA employees who were involved in the manipulation of the…

It is unacceptable that Americans who defended our Nation and who sacrificed so much have died or become more ill because they were not able to rely on the VA for critical care.

It is outrageous that VA employees who deliberately manipulated wait lists receive bonus pay at taxpayers' expense.

I think it is just unfair, Mr. Chairman, and we have an opportunity now to end this kind of discrimination against our veterans.

I also appreciate the opportunity to be here. Like Senator Ayotte, I am downstairs in the Defense markup, but really appreciate this chance to testify in support of the Charlie Morgan Military Spouses Equal Treatment Act.

I hope that this Committee and in the Senate we can work together to correct this injustice.

Absolutely, and we should promote it and encourage people to see what really is happening, because I think there is sort of a romanticized view being pushed out there that is attractive to people.

I hope when you look at this that we need to decrease the burden on employers, not create more paperwork.

I really hope, you know, that we will have some common sense on this and allow you to continue to do what you have been doing historically rather than creating another--continuing to plunk millions of dollars into a duplicative program.

We do have small businesses in my State, we heard from the Chairman in Louisiana, who are using the H-2B program and are confused about how the new rules will affect their business.

We are happy to answer any questions.

there was not a safety risk to human health from catfish that triggered this effort

I have been working with other members of the Senate to try and repeal this duplicative program.

I appreciate the fact that the Department is in a challenging position relative to how to make the H-2B visa program work.

Over the past few years, the Federal Government has found that the declining levels of cod in the Gulf of Maine have been dramatic.