Thank you Mr. Chairman.

According to the VA website, the mission of the VA Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is to identify and meet the legal needs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Its primary objective is to ensure the just and faithful execution of the laws, regulations and policies that the Secretary has responsibility for administering, and by so doing enable the Department to accomplish its mission of service to our Nation's veterans.

In recent years, Congress has increased the budget allocation to the Office of General Counsel to assist them in meeting this mission.  With the current 9.2 percent budget increase for FY 2010, and the requested 9.6 percent increase for FY 2011, it is appropriate to call this hearing to review the work of the Office of the General Counsel and make certain that the product produced by that office is providing the best benefit to our nation’s veterans and the American taxpayer.

Over the past several years, this Committee has reviewed a number of contracting issues, where it was apparent that the guidance provided by the VA General Counsel was insufficient, inaccurate, or lacking.  Recent VA OIG reports on contracting have shown deficiencies within the Office of General Counsel with respect to supporting contract management.  I am interested in hearing from the General Counsel on how his resources are being allocated to improve contract management at the department. 

I also want to know if the General Counsel plans to improve the relationships between the Contracting Officers and the Regional General Counsels, so that they actively seek their advice on major contract awards prior to the award being granted.  Does the General Counsel plan to more actively perform pre- and post- award contract reviews on all contracts? 

I am also concerned about delays we frequently hear about during meetings on the concurrence process for Directives issued by the Veterans Health Administration.  Often we are told that a directive is being held up by the General Counsel’s office.  These delays in providing legal opinions can lead to delays in updated treatment information being sent to the VISNs and medical facilities and may cause problems with patient care.

The bottom line here is that we make certain the resources Congress provides to VA are being allocated properly in order to provide the most benefit for the veterans and the American public, at the best value possible?  Given the current track record of the General Counsel in contracting matters, I am uncertain that this is the case.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back my time.