Is there anything that you would like to say to apologize to the American veterans and taxpayers in regard to your alleged behavior that is outlined in this report?

I feel more confident now, than any other time that I've been with the VA.

I just think that is extraordinary.

For the good of free trade, for the good of our farmers and ranchers, and for the good of our nation's economy and jobs, business as usual is no longer good enough.

Americans are losing confidence in our trade deals.

We can highlight the cheating going on around the world and how it is harming the American people.

We are not paying attention to the people who provide those jobs.

But the reality is that is not how it works.

I do not think any one of you there does not want to pay the best wage you can possibly pay, but you have got to do it based on what your business will provide for.

I came from a small business. I came from several of them.

We will build a 10-foot wall and crooks will build an 11-foot ladder.

So with that, are we seeing the education? Because as a small business owner myself, I know that there are many that do not know and do not understand the liability that is going to be put on them.

Criminals are always going to be looking for something else to put on there.

I think I would kind of like to continue down that because of my experience in the State.

But this particular proposal is not just on healthcare licensing; it is on all licensing.

I would like to recognize an everyday hero from southern Illinois today--U.S. mail carrier Don Fix, who has worked his route in Belleville, Illinois, for over 20 years. In May, Don felt something was wrong when he noticed mail piled high…

I don't know how someone could go six days let alone six months when you can't hear.

I introduced this bill along with Representative Walz from Minnesota and Ruiz from California to address the long wait times and lack of access to care for our veterans for audiology services.

The answer is let's use hearing aid specialists. They are qualified.

In my opinion, we will not be successful by giving more control to the Federal Government.

Individually the intentions have been good over time to create a good safety net, but the problem is, the way these programs have interacted, I think they are not fair to individuals like yourself.

promoting work is the real key to helping people avoid poverty.

However, this is not the system we have as a Nation today. It will take the cooperation of many individuals and political courage.

As a Marine veteran, I had always thought that if they served so many months in an active status they do get the veteran?

Does the lack of permanent directors at some and many of our facilities create an opportunity for those below them to falsify the number of contracts awarded to small business?