the administration is required by law to issue these regulations, correct?

these are required by law, and obviously this committee is not suggesting that the administration break the law.

we care about how regulations impact people and how they impact businesses.

well written and well executed regulations are important--they save lives. They save money.

we care about small businesses. Small businesses are the backbone of my community in Louisville, Kentucky.

We want to make sure they continue to get the best benefits that they have earned and they deserve.

They need funding. They need resources to carry out their mission and ensure that our veterans are not being defrauded.

We do know that in the OIG reports, there were deficiencies found in both 2021 and 2023 showing that the Fiduciary Program is susceptible to abuse.

I want to thank them for their service.

This is a Committee that does work together to try and help small businesses succeed in all of our communities.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Appreciate it. Thank everyone so much for being here today.

We cannot just have one approach for all of them.

My home state of Kentucky is using $500 million in American Rescue Plan funding for the Cleaner Water Program.

There are Kentuckians who now have clean drinking water for the first time because of this investment.

I think if veterans had the ability to tap into their GI Bill, whatever that funding might be--let's say 200 grand or $400,000--if they are able to tap into that and apply that to a business venture as they leave the military--obviously…

This weekend we are going to observe Memorial Day and remember those who gave as President Lincoln said, 'The last full measure of devotion for our country.'

We must do more for first generation college students across the board, but particularly our veterans.

That is the purpose of this committee is how can we better help our veterans honestly get what they have earned and what they deserve from this panel.

Small businesses are really and truly feeling this labor shortage as much or more than anyone else.

Thank you for holding this vital hearing on alternative educational paths that can develop our nation's workforce.

Our nation is experiencing a workforce shortage.

I appreciate the tremendous work you all have done in that regard of getting out there, working on outreach, talking, getting a communications plan there, so people know about these new benefits.

cutting $31 billion in the VA budget is not the way to best address some of those problems in the next year.

Unfortunately, like a lot of places in the United States, Kentucky is facing a childcare crisis.

Bottom line, if it looks like a duck and talks like a duck, you got to look into whether or it's a duck.