Thank you so much for your efforts and your responses to our questions.

Thank you very much.

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.

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

I want to ask that my full statement be included in the record.

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.

Advance appropriations will ensure that the quality of care for veterans will no longer be compromised by budget delays.

I want to thank you very much, and the Ranking Member, Senator Collins, for holding this hearing and for moving on with trying to confirm the people that we need to operate our government.

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.

NAVREF thanks Senator Daniel K. Akaka, Chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for incorporating title VI...

S.734 ensures that the VA recruits and retains the highest quality medical professionals.

The intent of the legislation is to recognize the important role caregivers play in caring for our veterans.

FEMA must have strong, experienced, and capable leadership.

We thank you for this legislation's recognition of the integral role caregivers serve in managing both medical and non-medical care of our wounded, ill, and injured veterans.

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

This bill will provide a living stipend, health care benefits, training, and support to family caregivers.

I believe that you will be able to provide the kind of leadership that FEMA needs.

Are you aware of this?

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.

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

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

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

I am encouraged by your efforts to recover these funds.