Richard Burr

I do not believe there is a President that is going to propose, regardless of what party they come from, something they perceive to be less than needed.

If I could borrow a sentiment from our former colleague who is now our Commander-in-Chief, the men and women who wear the uniform, the Nation's uniform, do not come from a collection of red and blue States but from the United States.

This is nothing new, and I hope all of us here today can get behind innovative approaches to fixing the system.

What I am trying to do is find some common ground where we do not lock ourselves into a budget that is computed based upon bad data which might have a bad outcome.

I agree with all of you that timely, predictable, sufficient budgets are absolutely essential.

It is time we develop a strategy to implement the Veterans' Disability Commission's recommendations.

I agree, and I think every person here understands that.

They expect us to leave politics aside when we act on their behalf, and I am committed to work with the Chairman and all the Committee Members toward that end.

I am in full agreement with the goals of providing VA a timely, predictable, and sufficient budget.

This waiver when granted offers an opportunity for North Carolina to save $1.4 billion over the next 5 years.

I think it's a shocking number and I think they need to hear it.

I want to point out for the committee members--and it gets at the heart of what I think all our panelists have said--that when we start to get ahead, all of a sudden we get knocked back.

I think in all the testimony it was a very comprehensive approach to how we solve obesity.

I join you in welcoming all of our guests and thank them for taking the time out of their busy schedule to travel to Washington to share with us examples of what States are doing to improve our Nation's public health.

Since the Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009 was unanimously passed by Congress in May... it would now be prudent to review the FMTV rebuy within the guidelines of this new required process.

A little bit of background. Currently the Department of the Navy, the primary party responsible for Camp LeJeune, for the Marine Corps, is asserting that it can determine which Federally funded and statutorily mandated scientific studies…

I show great favor towards anybody who graduated from Wake Forest, because it shows good judgment by not just the students, but the parents.

It's absolutely crucial that funding commitment happen before we get to the end of January.

We've learned, in Washington, if it's printed in the paper, it must be fact.

Would you agree that the Navy has a statutory responsibility, here, to act as promptly as they can?

At the end of the day, I realize that you'll be part of an Administration who has a President that will set the agenda.

And it disturbs me when the Secretary seeks an extension of time because we are forcing a veteran then to drag out the conclusion of their appeal.

I hope that is a goal that we can shoot for, though.

I am grateful that President Obama has put his faith in Major Duckworth's candidacy.

Does not benchmark itself versus good private sector organizations to determine where gaps exist.