Johnny Isakson

Could you tell me approximately--and I realize this would be an estimate--what percentage of truckers in the United States of America operate as independent contractors?

Which the big company really cannot meet with the same standards that they have to meet; is that correct?

We are focusing on the people who are intentionally disobeying those laws and those standards, not the people who are willfully obeying by those laws.

And with that, I will look forward to the testimony from our witnesses and appreciate the opportunity to co-chair this with you today.

This is an important subject, and I am delighted to have the chance to participate in the hearing with you.

The reason I mention this is my recollection, the company I ran was covered by that safe harbor.

Only that I appreciate the witnesses' testimony today and look forward to working with you, Chairman Casey and others, to see to it that we make sure that the people who are doing the wrong thing the wrong way for the wrong reasons are…

I want to compliment you on the differentiation between intentional and unintentional in your opening remarks and in your closing paragraph.

We need Federal leadership and reform.

I will note that my friend and former Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee member, Senator Brown, intends to introduce legislation dealing with the tax issue that I will support and cosponsor.

NAHB looks forward to working with this Committee to advance regulatory reform in this area.

NAHB greatly appreciates the efforts of Senators Menendez and Isakson for introducing legislation, S.1002, that addresses several regulatory barriers currently inhibiting access to construction credit.

The navigators were put in to be the connection to the American people to the Obamacare law.

Would you object to a statute that would require them to have background checks?

In the State of Georgia, my State has been so concerned about the risk on information that they have made it a requirement that every navigator have a criminal background check.

We need to address that, and we need to make sure that the unintended consequence of requiring so much coverage is not running people out of coverage rather than providing the coverage they need.

My point in this is when we passed the Affordable Care Act, it precluded insurance agents from being navigators.

I associate myself with all of the remarks by Senator Hirono with regard to her bill on emergency medical services. I think it is a great bill.

There will be a deal in my opinion.

I found her to be a tough lady. I found her to be a knowledgeable lady. I have found her to be an effective lady.

I have a concern that under the hospital inpatient patient system, bundled payments are often determined by the cost of existing antibiotics.

I appreciate your doing so, because the last thing we'd want to do would be to have a disincentive for the development of the very drugs we're trying to promote being developed.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to personally thank you, because 3½ years ago, I was hospitalized for a week with MRSA.

Before I make my remarks, I would like to join Senator Thune and others on the Senate floor who have expressed their compassion and their sympathy for the survivors and the victims of yesterday's terrible tragedy at the Washington Navy…

You have the voice of a judge--very melodic, and I just wanted to make that comment.