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.

I understand the OCFO is struggling with recruiting and retention.

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 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.

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

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

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

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 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.

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

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.

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.

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

I'm encouraged that the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP) will go a long way in addressing this issue.

We certainly are looking forward to a time when we can improve these systems.

Failure simply is not an option with this program.

I want you to know that we are supporting you as much as we can and we want to bring this about for the benefit of our veterans.

DOD should be prepared to provide the bulk of the response to a major catastrophe that incapacitates civilian government over a substantial geographic area.

I continue to have concerns about the effectiveness of VA's outreach efforts, especially as it applies to those who suffer from PTSD and TBI.

the Joint Requirement Oversight Council (JROC) seeks input from the combatant commanders

The capability portfolio managers lack the necessary authority and control required to be successful.

The greatest causes of cost growth, after program initiation, are budget changes (often caused by Congress) and 'requirements' changes--both of which can be controlled by discipline.

For me over the years, I'm beginning to feel that we need to change, or try to change, the heart and soul of DOD.

DOD identified nine joint capability area portfolios to mitigate the tendency to develop Service-centric, stovepiped solutions.

VA was made aware of this fire and potential exposures in March 2009.