Arlen Specter

I think that we, regardless of any such relationships, regardless of any such contracts, we, the VA, must prevail in having our oversight of this program and other programs.

We are obviously concerned about what happened here, but we are also very concerned about what the practices are by the VA nationally.

I think that is a valid statement.

What is your response to the allegation that the quality assurance aspects of the program were conducted by the contracted doctors themselves and were not independent enough to assure that there was an unbiased report?

It is up to the Veterans Administration to do the oversight.

Thank you for joining us, Dr. Whittington, and we look forward to your testimony.

Thank you very much, Dr. Cross.

I would like to thank you for your interest in this situation at the Philadelphia VA, and for inviting me here today.

I would like to see the floor set at $40 billion, so I came to urge you to utilize your efforts to help raise that money, which is the best way to cure juvenile diabetes.

I am not going to vote for this unless you increase funding for NIH up to $10 billion.

I do not think I will need all of the minute. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member, for convening this important hearing.

There's a tremendous amount of concern in Philadelphia--really more broadly speaking, but certainly in Philadelphia--where these implants occurred and I think that prompt oversight is something that we ought to do to respond to the public…

According to a New York Times article last Sunday, a rogue cancer unit at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center botched 92 of 116 cancer treatments over a span of more than 6 years and kept quiet about it.

Let me ask you--give you a chance to respond a little bit as to what you see with the $8 billion on high speed rail.

The President's fiscal year 2010 budget request proposes to eliminate the section 108 Loan Guarantee Program.

Mentoring is perhaps the most significant single factor.

We call it a correctional system, but we all know it doesn't correct.

Senator Specter says focus on the most serious and important crimes and make sure we don't have our jails full of people who are largely non-violent drug users, and that money becomes exorbitant.

Thank you, Senator Klobuchar.

I can give him considerable support on the merits.

I have already applauded your work in the initiation of the legislation, and join you in it.

We can offer amendments, of course, to stay within the budget.

I would urge you to take another look at that figure.

We are in jeopardy of losing a generation of young research scientists.

I'd like you to take another look.