The FDA is struggling today due to lack of funding, low morale, and an increasingly expanding mission.

the OCC took 50 sheriffs off the job during the time the mortgage lending industry was becoming the Wild West.

I don't think increasing health insurance premiums, cutting wages, and forcing 14 million more Americans into Medicaid is 'what women want.'

Let me add to something that you said and that is that we might agree that it doesn't happen naturally within the VA and there is a progression that happens naturally in the private health system.

Aloha, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, and I thank all of our witnesses today for what I think will be some very, very important testimony.

I think we are going to be challenged in the future as to how we take more of the VA facilities and have that tight relationship with an academic institution.

if the VA is to continue to deliver top-notch health care to veterans, then it needs to be able to attract and retain qualified medical professionals.

But, I would say this to all three of you, just because things are in statute certain ways, if they don't work, for God's sake, tell us so that we can change them, so that we can facilitate what it is you need in the positions that you…

My answer would be, probably not. It would probably not be involved in research to the degree that they are.

the challenge is that the VA competes for these professionals in a marketplace where they are high in demand and short in supply.

it is imperative that the VA have the tools it needs to attract and to keep quality doctors and nurses.

If I made the statement that I personally don't think that the VA delivery system responds the same way that the private delivery system does to technology, to research and the findings from that research, would you agree with that?

How does the VA change its marketing strategy to market itself to these unbelievable academic institutions?

It's another reason why people are fed up with Congress. We're facing huge challenges in housing, government spending, taxes and illegal immigration. Congress would be better served to focus on any of those issues instead of inserting…

Does this demand--and I agree with all of you that I think we've only touched the philanthropic potential of parks--but, given the scope of this challenge, does it almost demand us to go back and look at the programs we have in effect…

As I said in my opening statement, I'm very supportive of this initiative of public/private----

It's great to be a part of a Subcommittee that really treasures our national treasure, and that's our parks.

Senate bill 1253 outlines a new and creative way to fund Federal projects.