[inaudible conversations] good morning, everyone. The committee will come to order. I welcome our witnesses in person at those appearing distantly. We look forward to the testimony and getting a better understanding of where the department of Veterans Affairs and the thirdparty administrators are in administering the mission act. Also very interested in hearing more today about the caregivers implementation as well. Almost every member of our committee though not physically present at the moment, some are joining us in person and others will be joining us almost every member of the committee will be participating. The focus of todays hearing is the implementation of title i under the mission act by the department of Veterans Affairs, relating to the Veterans Community care program and the program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers. Io i scheduled this hearing because of my dissatisfaction with the pace of mission implementation. While v. A. Officials were invited to part
Committee, though not physically present at the moment, some are joining in person and others will be joining us, almost every member of our committee will be participating expected in todays hearing. The focus of todays hearing is the implementation title 1 under Veterans Mission act, program of assistance to family caregivers. I scheduled this hearing because of my dissatisfaction with the pace. While officials were invited to discuss the critical programs they oversee, the department chose to decline that invitation. This committee and the va shared a common goal to pass the mission act in 2018 to better serve veterans and their families and we continue to Work Together to address important issues for our nations veterans. I would expect them to be here with this to share all theyve accomplished since the va was transformed with this legislation and discuss what needs to be done to make improvements. The va is an integral part of in dialog, which is why i planned a whole subsequent
Under Veterans Mission act, program of assistance to family caregivers. I scheduled this hearing because of my dissatisfaction with the pace. While officials were invited to discuss the critical programs they oversee, the department chose to decline that invitation. This committee and the va shared a common goal to pass the mission act in 2018 to better serve veterans and their families and we continue to Work Together to address important issues for our nations veterans. I would expect them to be here with this to share all theyve accomplished since the va was transformed with this legislation and discuss what needs to be done to make improvements. The va is an integral part of in dialog, which is why i planned a whole subsequent engagements with the va officials to discuss title 1 implementation. Id be remiss not to recognize the unprecedented challenges this have year due to the covid19 pandemic. The dedicated staff on the v as front line deserve our thanks for fulfilling the Fourth
A senator are we in a quorum call . The presiding officer no, we are not. A senator thank you, madam president. I rise today because its my honor to introduce my colleague who actually needs no introduction but still for this speech today. Mr. Hoeven i have the pleasure to introduce kevin cramer who will be thriferring his delivering his official maiden speech to the senate. Ive known kevin for many years. Hes always been incredibly diligent worker for the people of north dakota. And he served our state in many different capacities. He served as tourism director and did a tremendous job promoting our state, promoting tourism, and really promoting the beauty and the history of our state in a way that brought a lot of National Attention and really made a difference in terms of tourism for our state. He also served our state as Economic Development director, something that is certainly near and dear to my heart. Ive always believed that job creations are job one. To me thats the engine th
Mr. Isakson madam president. The presiding officer the senator from georgia. Mr. Isakson madam president , i ask unanimous consent to be able to address the senate. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Isakson thank you, madam president. Its an honor to be here today on whats not my last day but everybody is acting like it. A few months ago i had to an announce that after much consideration to be able to serve the people of georgia, when i knew i couldnt do the job i was going to quit and let somebody do it who wouldnt be hampered. Im not hampered yet. Im pretty tough. But its getting close. In august i decided to tell my wife about it, and we decided to go ahead and retire at the end of december, which ive announced and said i was going to do. The governor of georgia is making an appointment to take my place and you might look in the history books, current history and it might have an isakson in the glossary, but i doubt it. I have been here for 15 years. This is the most enjo