The words from time to time the president of the United States should give a message to congress on the state of the union and recommendations of programs that he thinks should be followed. George washington began that practice of giving a state of the Union Message to congress when the First Congress met, but washington went in person to the congress, went to the Senate Chamber and delivered a speech that had a series of recommendations, relatively short speech, but in those days before there were Standing Committees of congress they actually used to cut the state of the Union Message up into paragraphs and created a who can committees to address each one of the issues that the president suggested. Washington and adams, john adams, his Vice President who became president , followed that practice and so they created this sort of idea that the time to time was an annual message. In fact, for years it was known as the annual message. It didnt become known as the state of the Union Messag
We have a lot seeking service and the arts program has been very popular. I understand that the veterans access choice and accountability act allows for continuation of that, but could you address for me how that will happen . Its important for our rural veterans. They like it and it works for them and i just wanted to get clarification in terms of how its impacted by the choice card. So the legislation extended the arts program. We have extended the contract temporarily while we are renewing the arch program so it will remain in place essentially as it has existed in the past Going Forward. Okay. I appreciate that. I yield back, thank you. Senator flores. Mr. Secretary i appreciate you joining us and i also appreciate the work that you and secretary mcdonald and the team are doing to work with congress and this committee in particular to build the va at the 21st century. A few weeks ago there was an article about the business of research on returning war veterans and i will ask the ch
To reporters about this new Republicancontrolled Congress and working with them. Here is what he had to say. [video clip] weve come to a point where we have a chance to reverse a different problem a decades long erosion of middleclass jobs and incomes, and making sure that the middle class is the engine that propels our prosperity for years to come. To do that, we have got to make some smart choices, weve got to make the right choices. We have got to invest in the things that secure faster growth and higher paying jobs for more americans. I am being absolutely sincere when i say i want to work with this new congress to get things done, to make those investments to make sure that government is working better and smarter. We are going to disagree on some things, but there are going to be areas of agreement, and we have got to be able to make that happen, and that will involve compromise every once in a while. You saw during this lameduck period that perhaps that spirit of compromise may
And then in their conclusion, they say that the u. S. Has been under investing in our Transportation Systems far too long. The impact is being felt in every state and town. With the interstate system beyond capacity and design life, this underinvestment is costing u. S. Businesses and individuals time and money. I think this is very important, so well put those in the record and get started with you, doctor. We are just about finished with those, but go right ahead. A little bit busy on the floor this morning, so i apologize. This is wha when i really do wao give my Opening Statement in. We have an area where senator boxer and i agree closely. I want to make sure Everybody Knows it. And so i do thank you, and the panelists, for taking time to be here as well. Its no secret im one of the strongest advocates of the strong, robust investment of our nations Transportation System. I think a lot of people dont understand, a lot of my conservative friends, the conservative position is to have
Sure. Thank you. I would only say in the view of many economists, the issue about how to correctly measure inflation is a completely different discussion. And the issue of whether we can fix poverty in old age. And in my view, personally, if the chained chiropractic pi is a better way to measure the cost of living for senior, we should do it. We need to focus on the issue of inadequate ability in control over resources. We did provow the not going there we proposed a change in the indexization of benefits prior to retirement nap generated enough money to raise survivor benefit which are important. And raise minimum benefits to 120 of the poverty line. So lets just stop there. I want to bring it to your attention. Senator. If i can. I want to go back to the point senator machin raised. When he talk about the decision between using a chained cpi for some people err not others you are acknowledging as its been laid out, were talking about over time a cut in benefits. I think that senator