Richard Blumenthal

We have heard that from veterans and you have heard it from us, and I appreciate your cooperation.

The DOD has committed that by the end of the calendar year they will deliver all of their medical records.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank you all for being here and thank you for your continued work on a number of these areas including the claims backlog which is vexing not only to us but obviously to stakeholders across the country.

Today, I will take it in any form DOD can give it to me as quickly as they are.

I have sponsored a measure called the Veterans Back to School Act that would, in effect, eliminate the 10-year limit on GI Bill benefits.

It is, in fact, a scourge. It is a growing problem both abroad and at home.

Well, I would be interested in any more facts or suggestions that any of the folks here this morning may have in that regard.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Is that happening quickly and fully enough?

I have increased confidence, in light of the testimony that I have heard and read, that these projects are being handled in a very thoughtful and deliberate way.

Thank you, Senator Nelson.

We have a responsibility to future generations to restore the Gulf.

Not all spectrum is created equal, so to speak.

Well, you should talk to some parents. You've talked to your wife. You should talk to parents--I don't know whether you have children--who have to pay their children's cell phone bill.

Some spectrum is the equivalent of beachfront property; and others, less desirable.

How often, I think this point is critical, are victims or survivors, in effect, threatened with prosecution themselves?

Would you say it is a predominant reason that discourages victims from reporting, or is it just incidental and occasional?

You can't have reporting--you can't have prosecution without reporting.

We know from the numbers, though, and you do, that there is a lack of reporting.

Wouldn't you agree that right now there is that lack of credibility and trust?

You must change the culture, and you have to make commanders more accountable for having command climates that ignore sexual harassment and assault.

You will be charged with drinking. You will be charged with adultery. You will be charged with conduct unbecoming.

Those kinds of rights are basic to fairness and to trust, it seems to me.

It is very, very difficult to make the kind of judgments about whether to charge someone with a crime.

The crime of sexual assault sullies the good name and honor of the greatest military in the history of the world.