I appreciate VA's willingness to consider the ultimate objectives of today's legislation; improve efficiency, reduce waste, and provide better outcomes for veterans.

I would argue an admonishment is not even a real penalty, it is kind of like being grounded without having your allowance taken away.

The testimony provided today is an important contribution as we move forward with the legislation, particularly the two draft bills.

Freedom is always worth fighting for.

Forcing a reissuance without adequately addressing the science sets a bad precedent that this Committee should want to avoid.

In Michigan's First District, we pride ourselves on being responsible stewards of all our natural resources.

For this reason, I introduced the Cormorant Control Act, to rescind the court order and reinstate the double-crested cormorant depredation orders.

We greatly appreciate Congressman Bergman and the House Natural Resource Committee's leadership on this issue.

H.R. 4429 recognizes how important it is for states to have proper management plans for controlling this bird population.

We are especially appreciative of Congressman Bergman for his response to our stakeholder concerns regarding cormorant impacts on Great Lakes fisheries.

I support the underlying basis of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and I understand there is a value in protecting this species.

I want to thank the Chairman and the Committee for holding this hearing today to consider my bill--H.R. 4429, the Cormorant Control Act--to address a growing problem in the Great Lakes region.