would clarify the scope of procedural rights of members of the uniformed services with respect to their employment and reemployment rights.

I would respectfully strongly disagree with the VA on this. I would point out that the VA has been wrong about every single darn toxic exposure in my adult lifetime.

I applaud Senator Blumenthal for introducing this much needed legislation that would clarify that servicemembers and veterans cannot waive their substantive or procedural rights under USERRA.

I am hoping that we will have bipartisan support on this Committee for the USERRA clarification that is in the legislation that I have proposed.

We greatly appreciate Senator Richard Blumenthal's (D-CT) leadership on this significant issue.

If I count correctly, we have 18 bills on our agenda and they are extremely important to advance the interests of our veterans.

We strongly support Senator Blumenthal's efforts under S. 3042, legislation that will clarify in law the procedural rights of Guard members within USERRA.

the Blumenthal bill would strengthen enforcement of USERRA, because it would provide additional protections for those who have served our Nation in uniform

'expand the requirements for reissuance of veterans' benefits in cases of misuse of benefits by certain fiduciaries to include misuse by all fiduciaries, [and] to improve oversight of fiduciaries.'

the purpose of the PEER Act, which is essentially a pilot program, is 'to promote the use and integration of mental health services in a primary care setting.'

Congress mandated that DOT take action to ensure railroads are using technology to save lives.

Thank you so much for your leadership on this issue.

These are practical, rail safety measures that will save lives.

First, Mr. President, I thank the chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senator Isakson of Georgia. To say that he has been a leader is certainly an understatement. He has devoted countless hours to forging a coalition in the best…

What can--what would you recommend that we do on this Committee, and the U.S. Senate generally, to make sure that there is interoperability?

These kinds of integrated, up-to-date electronic health care records are absolutely critical to ensure that health care providers have access to the health information they need.

Every time we have raised the issue, we have been assured that it has been solved, and then we come back and ask the same question.

Ms. Council, my information is--well, actually, it is the VA's monthly information security report for April 2016--about 2,556 veterans were affected by incidents of data breach.

Well, these kinds of data breaches, and if they are rising sixfold over just a year, really have to be addressed right away.

Security breaches have to be prevented and remedied, because this information is sensitive and personal.

we have been assured repeatedly that both agencies are cooperating with each other, which somehow defies credibility

What can be done to make sure that FirstNet is not hampered by a sluggish hiring process?

I am pleased to follow my colleague and friend from New Hampshire, who served as attorney general of her State during part of the time that I served as attorney general in the State of Connecticut. We have in this body common ground in…

I'm concerned about that fact. In fact, according to the statute, all, 'public safety entities,' shall have access, but it's not clear what that term means, 'all public safety entities.'

It has been a tough hearing, but you have done a really good job at this hearing.