Richard Burr

Obviously, with the VA system, any services provided would be remotely because we do not plan to stand up VA facilities outside the country.

Do we have a written integrated plan for these individuals?

Do we monitor whether they are given meaningful work, meaningful assignments?

Some of us on this Committee have expressed concerns and even frustrations with the lack of communication and transparency that this Committee receives out of the Veterans Administration.

The Department may have leaked the proposed regulations to parties supporting the Administration's position and investors who stand to benefit from the failure of the proprietary school sector.

There should be no committee of Congress that is trying to determine whether MUMPS is right or wrong.

If we do not, we will have an implosion of our claims processing, and I dare say we are close to that today anyway.

Aloha, Mr. Chairman.

My hope is that VA will collaborate with the private sector, not just from a contractual standpoint, but from a strategic and tactical standpoint with business.

It is absolutely essential, in my estimation, that private sector companies buy into what technology decisions you make at VA.

I, for one, as a Member of the Committee, am going to become much more observant of the reprogramming of money.

Congressional oversight and involvement is critical.

I want to thank my colleagues, Senator Johanns and Senator Brown, for being here.

I think the challenge, Mr. Baker, is to change the culture, not just at VA, I would say throughout government, though it may be a bridge too far.

VA continues to short operations and maintenance, year in and year out.

I am proud to tell you two of those are Hawaii and North Carolina, so it is appropriate that we would have him here today.

Let me just caution you: When you do that, you will be making the first step toward telling these service members that come back: No, you can only use that GI money where we say you can use it; you can't use it to go to the NASCAR 2-year…

As the only Republican here, let me say this is something we need to look at, the question of whether the value of what our students receive, whether it's from a for-profit or not-for-profit institution, is in fact delivered.

I hope that at some point collectively we look at the graduation rate of our students and whether they get across the goal line, getting that certificate that entitles them to a greater future, and not a witch hunt.

I highly recommend to the Committee that we move as expeditiously this nominee as we can.

President Obama has nominated Max to the Federal bench in North Carolina's western district. He is an excellent choice and I believe will be a great addition to the court.

It is absolutely essential that if we want a loan guarantee program, we've got to have a push from the top.

The American people are worried about the direction of our country, and I absolutely share their concern. The public has witnessed Washington's growing disregard for the Constitution and its limits on government power. Too many of those…

Clearly, Mr. Chairman, that's an area I'd love for the Department of Education to look at within the contractual agreements we have with institutions.

I think ultimately, that's something that we have to stay focused on from a policy standpoint.