Mark Takano

They are not the same thing.

Mr. O'Rourke, you went along with the characterization that official time is union time.

The law does prohibit that.

If there are so many housekeeping aides with incurable poor performance, it is likely that there are some management issues there as well.

I want to know from this day forward will you comply with the OIG?

Can I get your commitment today that you will provide and continue to provide to the OIG full, complete, and prompt access to OAWP records and all other requests made by the OIG?

I voted for it with a great deal of caution.

It is not possible to fire your way to excellence.

[Of] the 1,086 removals during the first 5 months of 2018, the majority of those fired were housekeeping aides...I also find it hard to believe that there are large numbers of housekeeping aides whose performance is so poor that it cannot…

I am just really concerned that there seems to be no urgency to fill these positions that are critical to oversee a $15 billion project.

The independence of the IG is absolutely crucial and proper oversight will be extremely important in the years to come

We have not only the ability to affect the health care of veterans, but potentially all Americans through what we are trying to do here.

The VA is publicly owned and is therefore in many ways far more publicly accountable.

We have a real chance to push issues like who owns medical data and to truly put that data in a portable position for the patient.

I have asked the Congress to actually re-fund, to fund again the Office of Technology Assessment.

I feel a sense of trepidation about the amount of money that we are about to expend on this project.

You can't fire your way to excellence and you can't discipline your way to--you need trained personnel.

I don't believe--I don't think the Commission on Care, the bipartisan co-chairs believe that accountability will be achieved without a robust HR Department.

Anyone who has been involved in any organization knows that stable leadership is fundamental to the success of that organization.

Based on your organization's mission, can you speak to the importance of having stable leadership in key positions and what impact these vacancies may have on the VA's success.

As Members of this Committee, we can't find solutions to problems until we understand the full scope of the problems that we are facing.

The current law permits mainly health concerns and science to drive ozone standards, is that correct? It's not economic impact, is that correct?

I think Mr. Beyer submitted for the record Supreme Court decisions which reaffirmed that.

I ask that my colleagues join me in passing H.R. 4635, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from California will be postponed. Amendment No. 17 Offered by Mr. Cohen The Acting CHAIR. It is…