Tom Harkin

I don't think that we ought to be in the business of denying access to court for people who have no money.

I just wanted to bring that to the subcommittee's and the full committee's attention to ensure that no such language would enter into the Senate bill.

While I'm very supportive of technology and putting more things online... it just doesn't reach, I think, a big segment of the population out there that are elderly.

The delivery of services should be strengthened, not weakened, during economic crisis.

I believe the Senate plan represents a reasonable approach.

Well, what's the response on that?

I understand. Very good.

This fall, beginning this October, states--any State that wants to implement the Olmstead Decision--to provide for supportive services for people with disabilities will get a 6-percent bump-up in their FMAP.

I think we have failed in our education system and in our career opportunities to really provide that kind of stimulation to young people with disabilities.

I think those role-model examples do far more to move kids forward with disabilities than any government mandate they should.

Your decades of leadership in and commitment to inclusion of individuals with disabilities as full partners in every facet of our society has resulted in significant gains.

I think States will have a lot of encouragement now to really implement Olmstead, which means that a lot of people with disabilities now are going to have much higher expectations.

We have to change that expectation to saying, Wait a minute. Everybody's got some kind of disability.

I'll be honest with you, I'll bear a little bit here that I've wrestled with this myself.

We're here today to examine the barriers, and, most importantly, identify solutions to increase the employment participation rate of individuals with disabilities.

Persons with intellectual disabilities also may face the most significant barriers to employment, that of poor attitudes about their abilities and low expectations for their possibilities.

The title of this hearing is Improving Employment Opportunities for People with Intellectual Disabilities.

It is equally important that we make sure the taxpayers get a good value for their dollar, and I think it is equally important that students get a good education and that they do not take on more debt than they can pay back.

They were getting a disproportionate share of the money.

We have to remember... These benefits are one time, finite, one time.

We have decided as a country and as a Congress that it is important for the Federal Government to be involved in higher education.

I also want to congratulate you and commend you for taking this position.

I look forward not only to hearing what our panels have to say today but also to working with you to drive agriculture policy in the 112th Congress.

Why would we do anything given that imperative that would be harmful to the men and women whose job it is to feed this country in a troubled and hungry world.

As Ranking Member, I am going to work to ensure that our producers have the tools and the necessary protection to meet this challenge.