Daniel Akaka

AFGE is deeply concerned about the lack of adequate oversight of all VA contract health care arrangements.

It is much more critical that Congress provide aggressive oversight to ensure VA is providing the high quality of care veterans are due, regardless of their location.

We thank Senator Akaka for introducing this bill and congressional staffers for working with DAV to address the unmet needs of caregivers of severely injured veterans.

I am joined by Senator Baucus and Senator Begich in supporting a bill, S. 734, which would provide much needed services for veterans returning to rural areas.

The bipartisan caregivers' bill, S. 801, will give family members the support they need to care for the Nation's wounded warriors.

I am hopeful that this Committee and then the full Senate will move quickly to consider Mr. Gould for Deputy Secretary.

He welcomed the opportunity to work for veterans.

He will strive to create an organization focused on giving veterans results.

I believe government functions best when all of its members work together.

I hope you will redouble your efforts to make sure that good internal controls are in place throughout the District Government.

I understand the OCFO is struggling with recruiting and retention.

Will you please describe the steps your office is taking to remedy chronic Medicaid reimbursement problems?

I tell him that the three things you must do immediately is Medicaid, Medicaid, and Medicaid, because that is where 20 percent of the budget is.

As you know, a report for the Tax and Revenue Investigation Special Committee concluded that the tax refund scheme was not identified sooner in part because of a pervasive culture of apathy and silence.

I think it would be appropriate, yes. We would like to keep----

I am encouraged by your efforts to recover these funds.

We have been urging the council and the mayor to consolidate that effort.

Ranking Member Voinovich and I believe human capital investments like strategic planning, supervisor training, and mentorship programs can have far-reaching positive effects on morale and performance.

It is my hope that the Committee will vote on your nomination in the very near future and that it will be considered expeditiously by the full Senate.

I think we agree that we need to make the Federal Government--and this is what Senator Voinovich and I have talked about--the employee of choice for the best talent in America.

Our men and women who put themselves in harm's way to protect our freedoms deserve the absolute best service when they return.

Senator Akaka and I have introduced legislation to deal with people who want to work at the tail end of their career on a part-time basis where that will not interfere with the status of their annuities.

I regard Senator Voinovich as a champion of human capital and so I am fortunate to be working with him on this.

We really are unhappy with our hiring system. We are in the dark ages if you look at where we are compared with the private sector.

The Federal Government and its workforce are under a tremendous amount of pressure.