Richard Burr

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

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

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…

I hope they'll come to North Carolina.

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?

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.

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.

So the agency's not willing to take it out of its annual budget. It would require additional appropriations from the Congress?

The animus of the permanent bureaucracy at the Office of Management and Budget to this program from the outset continues to be a classic study in the irrationality of a runaway and virtually unaccountable fourth branch of government.

Let me just say I wholeheartedly endorse the Secretary's commitment to homelessness. Let me tell you, OMB does not give a shit about homelessness.

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

Three million in acquisition and $2.5 million additional dollars in potential grants.

Do you think that more should be done to protect the appeal rights of veterans who mistakenly send their notice to the VA versus to the court?

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

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.

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?

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.

These are temporary.

Tell me how many permanent jobs were created.

I think we used your money already.

So how does that baseline follow that servicemember from medical facility to medical facility or in-theater?

Let me just point out, this is 2010. We passed this in 2007. To date, we have four veterans.

But define that for me.

What is the VA's criteria for determining whether you use a local provider?

Meeting their needs is our highest priority as a Nation. I remain committed to work with you and with this entire Committee to fulfill our obligation to them.