Johnny Isakson

I am troubled by the lack of detail in some of your request.

I want to make sure the goal is achieved in improving services and unifying the VA and the VA employees but does not end up resulting in more payroll, more employees, and more bureaucracy.

I had the same question the Senator raised with regard to why those reports were not in the hands of the Committee as well.

I was delighted that in your entire presentation, which was not timed or limited, you did not talk about moving money from VA Choice to non-VA health care.

They did not want Veterans Choice to replace VA health care.

Like Senator Markey, I voted for the 2001 authorization when I was here.

To file the notice, to file the request, the union has to have 30 percent of the number of employees affirmatively signing a petition that they want to have this organization take place.

My point on this is that's day 1 when that filing takes place, and the hearing in 8 days is automatic?

This appears to me to be analogous to the U.S. Senate passing a resolution that says any incumbent seeking reelection can only file 10 days before the vote.

The point I would make is, we established a long time ago as a country that business needs to treat labor right.

I have deep respect for the Senator from Massachusetts, but I want to take issue with the premise of her last question.

Congressional intent ought to be determined on the floor of the U.S. Senate or the U.S. House, not in some office building down the street on Connecticut Avenue.

I think that's the important thing. If this is a legitimate debate for Ms. Warren and I to have, and the other members of the Senate, it ought to be on the floor of the U.S. Senate in a piece of legislation.

We found incremental is acceptable as long as when they violate an increment, they have a punishment for it.

I think it is not too much to ask that we see real significant changes in policies and practices before we finish the negotiations.

One of the main things we want to do is use the leverage if these countries want to do business with the United States.

We found out yesterday morning... that the President's budget would portend that some of the Veterans Choice appropriations might be moved.

And we want to acknowledge to the President our appreciation that he signed the Clay Hunt Veterans Suicide Prevention bill yesterday.

Long-term entitlement reform is really one of the keys to getting the macro problem solved.

I want to publicly thank you for doing everything that you said you would do last year.

We strongly urge you and your colleagues to work to preserve the current definition of joint employer status.

The only way a business or an employer can effectively and positively impact the cost to their employees and to the company of health care is through disease management and wellness.

It is time we fix No Child Left Behind and we reauthorize ESEA, and I think the chairman's move toward flexibility is exactly how to do it.

My belief in Federal involvement in education lies in two areas: Title I and 94-192 for special education in 1978.

Well, thank you, Chairman Alexander, and thank you for your focus and leadership on kids, on No Child Left Behind, and on flexibility.