Jon Tester

I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 7, 2011, at 2:30 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 7, 2011, at 10 a.m., in 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered…

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Indian Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate April 7, 2011, at 2:15 p.m. in Room 628 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it…

I think reports that there are some unscrupulous folks that may be taking advantage of the program, we need to get cleaned up.

Its time has long passed and we need to move it.

I think it is a bill that we need to continue fighting for.

If confirmed, my focus with VSOs would be a very strong partnership.

I think it is incumbent upon us to get you confirmed in a timely manner.

I think it is incumbent upon the Administration to put good people in front of us in a timely manner.

There needs to be some regulatory consistency.

When you get confirmed and you get into this position and you do the outreach, I think those people on the campuses can be a tremendous resource for you as you move forward to solve this problem because they have been a tremendous resource…

Part of that outreach hopefully will be focused on rural America, where we have a lot of veterans.

I can tell you that unequivocally across the board, every time I meet with the community bankers, they talk about the inconsistency in application of regulation.

the smaller institutions... should be regulated and should have regulation applied to them in a way that is consistent and appropriate with that size and risk.

I rise today on behalf of rural America. All of Montana is rural America. Despite good intentions, rural America too often gets overlooked when we pass bills here in the Senate. That is what happened when this body passed an amendment…

Does it meet the needs of the demand of the folks you have got coming back from the theater converting into veterans in civilian life?

I think they are critically important.

I want to express my appreciation for the past observations about the value of an airspace east of Great Falls and what an important national asset that airspace is.

Can we get your commitment that you won't forget about that national asset as the Air Force considers future requirements?

I appreciate your service. I will tell you that being on the Veterans Affairs Committee and on this subcommittee we get to see a lot of one another.

As Air Force has concluded and indicated to us, the Air Force hopes to be transitioning the F-15s that are currently in Great Falls, Montana Air National Guard to the California Air National Guard in Fresno as part of a larger Air Force…

I think that is a sad statement. I think that you guys that are not confirmed hanging out there is ridiculous.

I still think, when we look back on it, I am not sure it is the best thing for the country.

I want to thank you, Mr. Secretary, and Dr. Petzel for your work on a veterans clinic in Billings and because it is going to help a lot.

I am a little biased, but I don't mind basing it on fact. The Montana Air National Guard has met every doggone thing they have put up against them, and they have done it every time, and they have done it incredibly well.