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

I am 35 seconds over.

But did you notify the patients?

Thank you very much, Congressman Fattah.

I think our veterans deserve better care than they got in this particular situation here.

Take whatever time you need, Dr. Kao. I wanted you to answer my questions, but you are privileged to say whatever you care to on that.

The allegations, as you have already heard, are very serious.

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

Thank you, Congressman Fattah.

When you suspended the program in June 2008, as you testified, did you know about these failures at that time?

I think that is a valid statement.

Let me turn to you, Dr. Kao. You have counsel with you; but let me say that, as you have noted, you are appearing here voluntarily and you are under no obligation to respond to questions.

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.

Well, that is great symbolism to conclude our hearing.

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

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.

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…

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

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.

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

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

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.

Thank you, Senator Klobuchar.