Jim Webb

I believe, and I want to acknowledge that the great majority of the contractors who participated in this process since September 11, 2001, are not only reputable, but they have really done a very fine job.

I think they did a really fine job.

We worked with them for months and they could not tell us where $32 billion had been spent in a specific way.

I would much prefer to focus on getting us out of Iraq.

I am here to basically express the strongest support possible for the movement of this legislation.

This is a particular problem in the State Department and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

It has my strongest support and I thank Senator McCaskill for her untiring efforts here in order to bring good governance into this body.

I would say it has been one of the great pleasures of being in the Senate, to have been able to get this legislation into place.

Well, you know, in the time since I have been in the Senate, the backlog has dramatically increased in terms of metrics.

I had the privilege many years ago to work with then VA Administrator Cleland.

I just wanted to stop by and give my voice of support here for Dr. Sowers.

What is your overall goal here in terms of carrying out the duties of your position?

I think we really need to include the breadth of knowledge in the review that is available today.

Thank you, Senator Blumenthal. Again, let me emphasize that I do not think there is any disagreement in this room about wanting to help the people who are in need.

I appreciate all of the testimony from a very wide breadth of knowledge and experience, and it has been extremely useful to us.

I want to finish this thought with Mr. Hilton.

I think that, Mr. Hilton and some of the others, you raised some very valid points about inconsistencies in the ability to get treatment, and the eligibility requirements when people move.

Thank you very much, Mr. O'Brien. Let me begin by thanking all of you for your extraordinary breadth of experience that has been reflected in your testimony today, both written and oral.

This is the front page of the Marine Corps Times this week. Grunt training for women starting now, infantry school admissions, new combat tests, et cetera.

He made a statement that he would personally support--in his opinion, he could personally support something that had not been in the budget.

Thank you, Senator Gillibrand, for being the motivating factor in having this hearing.

For 2 months the Air National Guard, with the help of Governors from every State, has been battling the Active Duty Air Force over proposed budget cuts.

It is a corporate process?

Are you comfortable with that number? Is the Army comfortable with that number?

I feel like that is the proposal that was laid out by the Chief.