thanks to the Recovery Act and increased funding, your agency was able to hire thousands of new employees.

It would put ALJs on equal footing with other senior-level Federal employees and would be a valuable tool for recruiting talented attorneys from the private sector to government service.

At the end of fiscal year 2010, the Social Security Administration (SSA) had a backlog of almost 850,000 initial claims.

Over the past years, Social Security disability claims have risen across the Nation.

Average Ohioans must wait 479 days for their disability claims to be processed.

I would like to be more specific and ask you to describe how SSA is handling the challenge of training.

You also testified that measuring the work output of each work unit would help SSA more accurately measure productivity and direct its resources.

Some of the credit for this work, I want to tell you, is due to Senator Voinovich's sustained focus on the issue.

I commend Director Berry for doing that because I think it is a step in the right direction.

Thank you Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Burr, and Members of this Committee for your continued support.

There is no easy path, no simple answer, and no short-cut solution to creating a strong IT capability at VA.

As Chairman, it is my responsibility to make certain that this Committee fulfills its obligation to conduct oversight of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

I called for a full investigation on this matter in early October because I believed that those who face foreclosure should, at the very least, know that the process is being handled fairly and according to the law.

It is going to take probably another 2 to 3 years to do what we think needs to be done.

DHS is reportedly ready to move forward with awarding a contract for DHS's financial management system known as TASC.

Do you think that a single comprehensive strategic plan is necessary?

I am committed to ensuring that the provisions of the Act will provide tangible assistance and protection to hard-working Americans.

I worked to develop many of the Act's provisions to increase financial literacy, empower hardworking Americans, and promote informed financial decision making.

I am committed to ensuring that the provisions in the Act that will provide tangible assistance and protection to hard-working Americans are soundly implemented.

The Dodd-Frank Act requires meaningful disclosures of the remittance transaction costs and establishes an error resolution process to protect consumers.

I also want to thank Senator Voinovich's staff and my staff for working so well together.

These provisions are particularly important to me personally because I grew up in an unbanked family.

Thank you very much for your responses.

I, too, want to add my thanks to you for your hard work here on the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

I rise today to introduce the Furthering International Nuclear Safety Act of 2010. This bipartisan legislation, which is cosponsored by Senators Carper and Voinovich, will enhance the implementation of the Convention on Nuclear Safety by…