Mark Takano

It has been a big issue with our--health appointments.

Do you have any information on Uber use among veterans attempting to get to a VA facility for an appointment?

Veterans have much more to offer this country above that which they have already given.

So it is two different tracks. We are talking about peer support specialists to go out in the community and get them into the VA, and we are talking about a streamline of getting peers, veterans trained in mental health to be counselors…

Do we need to fund this more, do we need to fund more? How much more do we need to fund it?

I think it is misleading to say that, generalizing and say 900 peer-support persons have been hired, it makes it seem like they are all in mental health when that is not true.

EPA Region 4 believes that the inclusion of the Becker site in this 404(c) action is appropriate even though no application for rock plowing this site has yet been made.

In effect, section 404(c) authority may be exercised before a permit is applied for, while an application is pending, or after a permit has been issued.

There seems to be some confusion as to whether EPA has the authority to initiate section 404(c) action to protect the Bristol Bay watershed.

Senator Kennedy has been invoked to make the argument on the other side, but it is clear what his intent is, that even the indirect activity should be covered by this law.

That is what is at stake here, the employees' right to be able to know that.

It seems to me that if I claimed attorney-client privilege as a way of trying to disguise who is contributing to me or who is acting on my behalf or who I am paying, I do not think the voters would accept that.

It seems to me all this talk about underreporting is a lot of mumbo-jumbo.

I certainly would appreciate your office's cooperation in helping us understand what is going on and ascertain whether there are any patterns.

Most importantly, veterans preference hiring policies make good business sense.

These policies are meant to ensure that veterans seeking Federal employment are not penalized for their time spent in military service.

Federal jobs allow veterans to continue the public service they began when they entered the military.

Veterans have a devoted and highly informed ally at DOL vets, and we are looking forward to working together.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

One thing we know for sure is the sky did not fall, the world did not end, and we are not seeing lots of people being put out of work.

The VA desperately needs stronger market pay requirements, not a market pay process completely subject to Secretary discretion.

Our Reservists and members of the Guard I think would feel that this would treat them with respect that we also give them a hiring preference.

I represent an Air Reserve base where we have both Reservists and Guardsmen, and it is always difficult for them to find a flexible-enough employer who will enable them to do their reservist duties.

Over the past three years, the Veterans' Affairs Committee has worked hard to reform the VA, particularly, as it involves the discovery of health care by the Veterans Health Administration.

I want to ensure we do not dilute Veterans' Preference or cut out valuable H.R. procedures for the sake of efficiency.