Richard Blumenthal

The reality is, we are at war.

There is a huge gap between the goals and missions that we've outlined for the United States and the actual action that we're undertaking.

American values are directly and inevitably linked to stopping human atrocities.

I am a proud sponsor of S. 911, the Saracini Aviation Safety Act of 2015, which would require airlines to install secondary barriers on most commercial aircraft.

I would join you in the strong feeling that that kind of price gouging would be utterly reprehensible.

I will call on the FTC to investigate promptly, as perhaps this committee would have a role as well.

I just think we have to do better on fiscal policy and make investments in the country if we are going to have the kind of country we want in the future.

You have the right to remain silent.

We look forward to working with you on those options and also on this concept of accountability.

I appreciate the opportunity to testify on Health Net's administration of the Veterans Choice Program.

The VA ought to be out of the business of construction, that it should be the Corps of Engineers or some other agency that takes over this function.

My view is that the potential raid on this money and the effort to use it as a kind of slush fund to pay for cost overruns... is a real threat to veterans health care.

I will have some specific ideas and proposals tomorrow, as well.

For me that alternative is a nonstarter. It is just unacceptable, and I have expressed that view to appropriate administration officials.

Accountability is absolutely necessary.

We still have not solved the crisis that led to this program. Veterans still wait too long for health care.

These delays have real-life consequences. They cannot be tolerated.

This Nation is capable of doing better for its veterans, and a supplemental appropriation, for example, might be an alternative.

I would strongly urge that you consider using your authority under 28 U.S. Code Section 1498 to take that action

Anybody who believes that this crisis has been solved is living in an alternate universe.

The Federal Government needs to invest more, needs to be a more active partner, and much more aggressive investor itself

It should, but is it?

But regulation doesn't translate into investment.

Would you recommend that data be encrypted as part of this program to provide that kind of insurance?

Well, awareness has been increased, but should have been heightened years ago.