Richard Blumenthal

Many members of this committee have raised grave concerns about the terror attacks in Brussels on March 22.

On March 22 in Brussels, the world was reminded of the essential, non-negotiable need to protect our airports, subways, and other critical infrastructure from cowardly, evil acts of destruction.

It is critical we remember the importance of our surface transportation system in the context of any discussion on security.

Multiyear production and contracting, obviously, are a way to bring down costs, and this aircraft is our future.

The F-35 program, to quote you, is executing relatively well.

I want to focus on the Ohio Replacement Program, which you have identified as the Navy's top priority with the lead delivery plan for 2028, I believe.

I would just suggest amending your answer by substituting for the word 'risk' maybe the word 'courage' or 'vision' because the risk is simply failure, but failure is part of research.

I think what the members of this Committee find offensive, with all due respect, is the apparent lack of remorse...

You cannot come to this Committee and say, you know, I am Sergeant Schultz. I see nothing. I know nothing.

To have a drug that is the gold standard that is available through discrete, specific channels, and then to say that a 5,000 percent price increase is necessary to invest in the means to reach that captive patient population just seems to…

You are not going to make that drug more available by putting it financially out of reach. That is the contradiction here.

May I respectfully suggest that the answer to the question--should there be mandatory safety and privacy standards--is yes.

That's one of the reasons why Senator Markey and I have introduced this legislation.

I would say the answer is 'yes,' because, again, the credibility that this technology has may become exceedingly fragile if people can't trust standards that are uniform and mandatory.

But, you can assure us that you will cover that cost without cannibalizing other VA services.

Could I please ask one last question, Mr. Chairman?

Compromise is not a four-letter word, and we ought to be ready to move forward with your incredibly important leadership.

I would join, or offer to join, Senator Sullivan in working on this issue because I understand your position that a more streamlined, fair, efficient process is necessary for all veterans as soon as possible.

It is not fair to veterans, and it is not fair to a lot of the dedicated men and women who work at the VA because their reputations are tarnished by a system that simply is not working.

I think the credibility and faith in the VA really hinge on addressing this issue effectively.

What you are saying is that in the short term more resources and more people will help stem the rising tide, but over the long haul there have to be changes in the law and the process.

In Connecticut, as you know, just to take one example, appeals are currently on hold because of the shift of resources to the initial filings of disability claims.

I want to focus on the appeals process.

What we need to do is partly enable and empower them, and partly get out of their way, but at the same time hold them accountable.

It really is a breakthrough moment for the Veterans Choice Program and for health care provided by the VA.