Good afternoon Madam Chairwoman and I thank you for holding this important hearing on expiring authorities in both VA and the VETS.

When Congress creates new programs within the Federal Government it is common to include a “sunset” that requires Congress to reauthorize the program a few years after the enactment of the law for review.

This is an important management tool that allows us to review the program and then determine if it should continue.  Sunsets are also the result of not having sufficient PAYGO offsets to make a program permanent.

In general I believe there is always room for improvements to any program and each also probably has its faults.  That is why I look forward to hearing the suggestions of our witnesses on how we can do this.

I would like to commend Mr. Tully for his testimony.  While I have not had time to digest his suggested amendments to USERRA, his is a good example of how to write effective testimony.  He lists specific problems, cites the related U.S. Code and offers specific recommendations on how to solve these problems.  I thank him for the thoroughness with which he has addressed the issue.

Once again I thank you Madam Chairwomen for holding this hearing and I look forward to the testimony of our witnesses.  I yield back.