Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

The existence, and independence, of the Office of Inspector General is an incredibly important tool in not only helping VA identify shortcomings but also to help us here on this committee do our job more effectively.  

Maintaining the OIG’s full capabilities is of importance to all of us here, and that starts with the budget process.  As that office identifies areas of redundancy, poor performance, or potential cost-savings, I see no reason to flatline or even cut its budget.  As the authorizing committee, this is one step we can take every year toward doing our part. 

VA has acted on an overwhelming majority of IG recommendations, in accordance with their standardized process. That much I am glad to see. 

What I hope others on this committee share with me is concern about the lack of action on IG recommendations that have been open over a year.  The total number of recommendations as a percentage might be comparatively small, but as an actual number are high. 

These recommendations aren’t simply ways for VA to cut costs or eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse.  They are potential ways to better deliver services to veterans across all departments within VA.  That objective cannot- and must not- be overlooked. 

I look forward to today’s testimony about VA’s implementation of the OIG’s recommendations, and, in cases where there has been no implementation, to hearing the reasons.  VA, its Office of Inspector General, and this committee can make great progress together, and this hearing is one step in making that progress.

I yield back.