Richard Blumenthal

And that the approach be, in effect, evidence-based and that it be consistent with patient safety?

Thanks for holding this hearing. I, too, very much welcome this profoundly significant discussion of health care issues.

I welcome that directive or policy change.

I am in total agreement.

My feeling is that the VA, or perhaps more directly veterans treatment options, should not be determined by whether or not they have an opportunity to speak in front of Congress.

I just want to thank you for supporting this initiative because I think it is very important in broadening the opportunities that are available for health care for our veterans.

I want to thank again Sergeant First Class Medina, for being here today, for your courage in serving our Nation.

DAV thanks Senator Blumenthal for introducing this critical measure and for your Committee staff for working with us in its development.

I want to thank you personally for your understanding on behalf of myself, and I think I speak for Senator Hoeven.

The legislative draft being worked on by Senators Hoeven and Blumenthal will ensure this to be the case.

The so-called digital divide really threatens to become a digital chasm or canyon, as access to this really critical service diminishes as people become faced with the inability to pay for it.

They are capable of doing two things at once, and they have, by the way, Mr. May.

These steps really represent profoundly significant progress toward eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse; would you agree?

Access to broadband is every bit as important today as the availability of phone service was 30 years ago.

It should not be an impediment to broadband access under this program.

Defending this vital lifeline--it really is a lifeline--I think ought to attract unanimity from this panel and from the U.S. Senate.

I think that is a pretty reasonable request.

The special commission investigating 9/11 urged vigilant protection of, and I am quoting, 'Neglected parts of our transportation security system, like rail and transit, just as much as we protect aviation.'

I am asking for a commitment that you will give us some time lines as to when there will be compliance with the law.

Our country's public transportation and passenger rail systems are used by tens of millions of people every day, and they are the backbone of economic activity throughout our Nation.

We have only to look at the consequences of the Philadelphia tragedy to see the losses that can occur when our rails are shut down, $100 million a day to the Northeast region alone.

I appreciate your commitment to come to Connecticut.

I am asking you for a commitment to develop time lines for implementing.

An Authorization for the Use of Military Force is absolutely essential. The reality is, we are at war.

I remain dissatisfied that the number of Special Operators on the ground may be insufficient.