Richard Blumenthal

The relationship and the coordination with the Department of Defense is an entirely other area that I was going to pursue.

I understand there are privacy concerns.

Even the most, I think, permissive of recommendations would say they are well due for revision in 2015, 5 years later.

This is a problem that requires the attention of policymakers from the local to the Federal levels.

I joined you in the view that the provision was unfortunate, and 'misguided,' I think, is probably a good word for it.

I'm alarmed we don't have that data already.

Safety demands that the government intervene and mandate measures that will save lives.

I am hopeful that those regulations will be issued, because the law mandates they be issued.

An important factor in reducing crashes and fatalities is to help minimize fatigue in the trucking industry through hours-of-service regulations, which are prescriptive, not just performance-based.

We view this--and there was a military phrase that I used to embrace and many of us know--one team, one fight.

I guess what I am suggesting here is that there needs to be an effort to rationalize all of these community-providing health care services

I want to emphasize two concepts, common sense and choice. The veteran ought to have choices.

We will see a different--do you have more recent data as to what that 17 percent--the equivalent of that 17 percent would be for the next quarter?

I think this is the point that both Senator Moran and I and others here have made regarding not just waiting 30 days for treatment.

Just to complete the questions on the 17 percent, that is 17 percent of all appointments----

I am the guy. I sat there and I tried my best to honor the intent of Congress.

For a long time, folks told us, 'You need new legislation.' We pushed back and said, 'No, it can be done administratively.'

I hope that we will get our staffs together and review not only new legislative language, but maybe administrative action that can be taken without legislation language.

Can you give us the number of that which is under the Choice?

The VA should not fear the Choice program or the PC3 program or the ARCH program.

Thank you for scheduling this hearing focusing on a problem that, fortunately, has been greatly diminished by action from the VA.

I was assured... that, in effect, Israel will receive all the necessary assistance to make sure that its qualitative edge is not only maintained, but enhanced.

I want to thank Ms. Yates and her family again. Thank you for your public service and your willingness to undertake this very, very important responsibility and for your excellent testimony today.

That's why Senator Lee and I have not eliminated any mandatory minimums when it comes to the maximum side, nor eliminated them for any crimes.

Certainly deterrence of the kind of alleged wrongdoing that occurred, concealment and even potentially fraud against the U.S. Government, really depends on an effective conclusion of that investigation