This legislation would improve the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Multifamily Transitional Housing Loan program and direct the use of $48 million in previously appropriated money going forward.

If we are going to solve this problem, we cannot wait for somebody down the street to come up with another bureaucratic solution.

I might say, in my time as ranking member of the subcommittee never has a hearing been scheduled despite the objections of one side or the other, and I hope this regrettable incident does not set a precedent for the actions of this…

We have an extensive legislative agenda before us today--20 bills in total, one which I introduced last week along with Chairman Akaka, Senator Durbin, and Senator Burris--S. 3377.

I hope they'll come to North Carolina.

Mr. Pamperin, in your testimony, you indicate VA would be submitting a legislative proposal in the near future.

Mr. Chairman, we convene this hearing today before the National Parks Subcommittee hearing under unusual and unfortunate circumstances, with 11 Senate Democrat bills and zero Republican bills being considered.

I understand that this hearing was scheduled despite the continued objections of the Republican staff, who lodged this objection as a result of no GOP bills being included in the hearing consideration today.

Are those in the fiscal year 2011-12 advance funding requests anticipated or required changes in the law to release funding for homeless veterans' programs?

My calculation was it authorized $10 million over a period of time.

Let me ask it one more time: Would the Park Service consider on either one of those pieces of legislation using eminent domain to acquire the land?

That wouldn't have anything to do with the ongoing management of that property, the cost of it?