Gerry Connolly

So, one of my asks, and I hope that you will take this back, Mr. Poist, to the Social Security Administration and to those who are up the chain who are listening today, is, we do need those offices reopened.

And I have to tell you that I actually, in preparation for this hearing, spoke in depth with our staff about their casework and what they have been seeing in each of our Federal agencies.

So, obviously, we want to talk a little bit about some of the challenges that the constituents across the U.S., but in my district in particular, are facing.

But I do want to take a moment, because it really bothers me when my colleagues bring folks in front of this Committee, which is an oversight Committee, and then attack our Federal public servants, folks who literally are working for us…

There is one case I would like to just quickly call to the attention of those who are here, and we will just, for lack of a better term, say that this is Andrew's story.

It could be the difference between receiving military benefits and not receiving them at all.

Demand is skyrocketing, and yet staffing and resources remain static.

The issues of low staffing and long processing times are shared across almost all customer-service-focused Federal agencies.

We know to fight this evil that has been perpetuated by Russia and Vladimir Putin, it is something that we better do collectively for all, for democracy's sake, for sovereignty of territory's sake.

We must remain united in our approach.

Gosh, what could go wrong with rescinding those kinds of regulations?

What about the cost of the lack of regulation?

Was that a good thing?

Did that save lives?

Did Americans benefit from that series of regulations do you think?

This hearing is all about confirmation bias.

It would be the worst poorly resourced diplomacy and development budget in a generation.

We cannot compete with China if we do not believe in dollars for development and we do not believe in diplomacy.

This visit with Saudi Arabia is troubling.

Does that include our blessing or any comments we might have on the Chinese-brokered rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, especially given the malign activities of Iran in the region?

Yes, well, I would say that the President has got it right, that we are also focused on gas prices and inflation, and we are totally in favor of developing a green economy, but we are also very much focused in the here and now, as is…

The President of the United States himself condemned the oil production cut last year because of its impact on inflation and gas prices here at home, and indicated, the President indicated, that there would be consequences.

This is diminished, if not entirely escaped, as an issue between the Saudi government and the U.S. Government.

The Biden Administration has and must continue to impose the Caesar sanctions.

The United States should never normalize with Syria as long as Assad remains in power.