Daniel Akaka

The brave men and women who leave their jobs to serve our country deserve our help finding good jobs when they return.

Together, we have to find a way to make the transition from soldier to citizen a smoother one.

I am hopeful that our two Committees, then the full Senate, will move expeditiously to consider Mr. Jefferson's nomination.

I think it is very important that we strengthen them and I would see this national structure and accountability for having working relationships with affiliates set up at the network level as being important steps.

This position is an important one to this Committee because it is a key office for promoting transparency and collaboration between VA and Congress.

I hope you find me worthy.

I appreciate the opportunity.

I recognize the need and importance of ensuring appropriate oversight measures are in place for Federal contracts.

I have been a longtime opponent of REAL ID due to concerns about protecting individuals' privacy as well as the States' inability to implement the burdensome program.

We must act to fix REAL ID. States simply still cannot afford the $4 billion it would take to implement REAL ID.

If REAL ID is implemented, these databases could provide one-stop shopping for identity thieves and become the backbone for a national identification card.

REAL ID calls on the States to collect and electronically store individuals' personal records when issuing licenses and to share that information with every department of motor vehicles (DMV) nationwide.

One of my major goals is to create a seamless transition for servicemembers as they leave the military and become veterans.

In order to best meet the needs of all veterans, I also urge the development of enhanced relationships not only between the DOD and VA but also with those community organizations that are ready and willing to fill gaps in services.

I want to thank the first panel for your testimony and your responses.

I was actually involved in the initial attempts to roll out the eligibility for military sexual trauma for free counseling.

It should not be 'free;' it is without-charge counseling for veterans who have undergone such trauma.

As part of my oversight responsibility, I learned that some veterans at the Austin, Texas, clinic were inappropriately being charged for services related to military sexual trauma.

VA is poised to make some important changes to how care is delivered to women, but, in fairness, we seem to have a bit of a disconnect between mandates and what is actually happening.

Is VA meeting the needs of women veterans?

The President's strategy states that the United States must pursue constructive diplomacy with both India and Pakistan.

To disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future.

I agree that metrics are important and that we need to focus on measuring effectiveness and not just effort.

The United States should forge lasting, international partnerships to bring security and prosperity to both Pakistan and Afghanistan.

If we pursue an engagement strategy with Pakistan to reduce the threat of terrorism and nuclear proliferation, we must be prepared for a long-term commitment.