Joe Wilson

Forty-nine percent of women veterans are seeking care outside of VA.

When we talk about facilities, facilities, and facilities and we must keep in mind the veteran at all times.

The Secretary of VA reported Congress would have to include $1 billion annually for 6 years to ensure the success of CARES.

It is the American Legion's position that Congress keep in mind the importance of continuity of care during a servicemember's transition from active duty to the community.

I would like to thank you again for this opportunity to express our concerns on these important issues.

We are therefore pleased to support various measures insofar as they fall within that scope.

It is entirely possible, yes, sir. We always, we would hope for an earlier reporting whenever possible.

I would think that looking in our view that the current process is adequate and that H.R. 1821 seems to address an important issue of extending an eligibility period.

Has the Department produced an estimate of the costs of transitioning to the Direct Loan program for a small to medium size independent college?

Will the administration provide direct financial assistance to schools to support their transition into the Direct Loan program?

You propose to stop new FFEL loan originations as of July 1, 2010. How many schools will need to transition from FFEL to Direct Loans between today and July 1st?

Well, it is really, again, inspiring to me to know the talented people serving in the Navy who have volunteered to serve around the world as sand sailors, many of them trained at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

I appreciate Chairwoman Davis visited with me at Fort Jackson, the recruiting and retention school, last year.

I am interested in hearing your assessment, all of you, as to where the risk may exist in the proposed cuts in recruiting and retention.

The third area of concern relates to the recent testimony by the service chiefs, particularly those of the Marine Corps and Army, that dwell time will not significantly increase in the foreseeable future.

My second concern focuses on the number of nondeployable personnel in the Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve.

The first is the $800 million reduction in the services' recruiting and retention budgets.

I have three areas of concern.

In many respects, the military personnel systems today reflect a degree of success that would have been questionable three to five years ago.

Will student debt increase for borrowers of Perkins Loans due to the accrual of interest from the origination of the loan as opposed to current policy when the student graduates?

The D.C. Opportunity Scholarship program is a good example. This groundbreaking program has helped thousands of low-income students here in Washington attend the school of their choice.

We also believe in the right of parents to choose the school, or other educational options, that best fits the needs of their children.

Education decisions should be left to those who make them best--parents, local school districts, and the states.

If you adopt the rule that the legislation proposes, then pro-competitive effects are no longer considered.

I am very grateful that, at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, the augmentees you mentioned, the sailors, the naval personnel are being trained there to be sand sailors.