Relief activities. We are proud of and believe we are wisely spending every penny of Hurricane Sandy relief fund has been appropriated. I will give the same amount of time to the Ranking Member. I would tell you when i drove over the nevada line up to lake tahoe a few weeks ago, i saw a brandnew sign that gave credit been put into the stimulants, and others the recovery act being put up two weeks ago, three weeks a day driving through the snow. Its amazing that the dollars being spent but every time theres a request for a cut theres no money and its overdue. This is one of the challenges we face if you dont do some portion that can be that commit cutaways recognized by the ig never program is essential come here telling us only texan creases of nearly double in the American People will celebrate deficit. Without i recognize the Ranking Member for seven minutes. Thank you very much, mr. Chairman. Mr. Scovell, you heard the response of mr. Porcari with regard to air Traffic Controllers. Are you aware of what he said theres a different situation than what it was 10 years ago . Do you have enough information to answer but i just asked you . Thank you, mr. Cummings. It is a different control situation that was 10 or more years ago, but its also a fact number of operations has decreased markedly from what it was 10 or more years ago. Mr. Cummings, where the project in my office at the request of congress to examine air Traffic Control product can be a mess with the chairmans ultimate question goes to you. The project is underway. I dont want to prejudge results, but will report into this committee when the review is done. So you think you agree with the chairman and i do want to put words in his mouth, just trying to remember what he said, that maybe the distribution of air Traffic Controllers is not the most efficient and effective way to use the . That is a possibility. We have examined faas air Traffic Controller workforce for a long time and weve offered in the past recommendations to the agency for how could analyze the composition and the distribution of its controller workforce because they found problems in the past. Mr. Miller, can you tell us the total amount of cut the department of education is now facing as a result of sequestration . The impact of our program, about 2. 5 billion. I understand the 722 million is enticed to title i. 600 million title i programs. He said as a sophies choice, i guess this is what im getting to. Year to say that these questions. This is what im trying to go to, mr. Scovell. Some people have the opinion that when these kinds are made, because they made to aim that they dont have to be made to. In other words, a fact somewhere some oral secret cut and not affect programs for kids like me when i was growing up in special ed. So im just wondering, tell me about that. This is something mandated or with . Our programs are focused on the most needy. In an environment where weve fallen behind the world, 16th in terms of college graduates. Where 25th and 17th by 15yearolds when you look at the direct Investment Education and how that impacts gdp and employment, the quality of education is clear that Investment Education is critical. We have no choice. My question is again going back, is there some way we do have sequestration under the circumstances that she could avoid the cut in these areas. I want to know because the implication is that the administration is trying to zero in on things that get the headlines or whatever. Im trying to figure out how struck situation is. Simply put the money for the programs. [inaudible] yes, sir it is time. I would agree sequestration in its acrosstheboard approach to coding is going to leave many things unfunded, since title i special ed and those monies are the folk of the departments money is, thats where youre going to see because. I think a better approach would be looking at reducing funding. The recommendations we make, the deputy secretary brought up the issue of 200 programs in the department of education. Not all of them are bigmoney programs, but why shouldnt i look at more thoroughly and holistically what programs might duplicate each other. Lets get to the point where we have duplication between the departments that focus on education. Why cant i look at that a government may cut their . In other words, go through those programs, the ones getting the most bang for the buck to reduce or eliminate those to free up money for the others. Is that right . Is that what youre trying to save quick yes. Their assembly play if we were to do these things quite out fiercely really sequestration. Right now i dont think theres leeway. We are all facing across the board cut. I am facing a 3 million in a somewhat small appropriation. I am going to be for allowing all of my employees for 10 to 11 days on myself on down at the sequestration can use to the end of the fiscal year. Ricotta rfid is no work, going to cut support for risk modeling work and weve told for Term Employees they need to leave at the end of the month. So we are facing greatly reduce travel, which is very much impacting your criminal investigator and auditor you have to travel to do your business. Im having to make choices in what cases reopened and went on as i see my time is up, thank you, mr. Chairman. Mr. Mchenry. I yield to mr. Jordan. Thank you for this hearing. Mr. Miller, i want to be clear at the chairman is questioning. You have not responded to the chairmans letter last week . The letter the 28th at notice upon my return on monday. Those wheels are turning, but i dont believe a formal response has been submitted. Tummy was sequestration was passed. Friday. When it passed requiring sequestration shtick affect. August 2nd, 2011, 19 months ago. It seems to me when you get a letter but sequestration you have 19 months to plan and get ready for it. If you check time, you should have been ready in december because this thursday january 1st. You have the response ready to get back to the chairman. You guys didnt start planning for this until the last couple weeks . We plan on sequester and thats quite consuming actually. Weve been planning since the beginning of the year. Why not before that . It past august 2nd, 2011. As i interpret it, it was both parties in the administration. Thought it would not be going into effect. A statement secretary made, the now famous statement means a lot more children look at the service they need in as many as 40,000 teachers could lose jobs. Teachers now get pink slips that they cant come back to fall. Do know where he was facing when he made the team and he was basing that statement on . The issue of the 40,000, a recognition of local funding. It does represent an estimated directly with the current tenant would be a had you guys given information sameness is going going to happen . The survey schools, military schools, did you serve it doesnt make is we concluded that being consistent. We have an understanding of the cost structure at the state and district and school level and understand the basis of the cost structure. How might this translate to impact, we say with allocation of funds that is this today suggests the department and portray to the American People as fact. Weve been very clear that he translated this is the impact it could have been that remains true today and there are examples in anticipation of sequestration. The scissors teachers now are getting pink slips are noticed they cant come back this fall. Is that true . The secretary spoke inaccurately to correct that statement. What is true is the impact of 40,000 jobs. With anything given to the secretary thing you can say this, or is this just taken place at the department . I cant speak to a briefing materials. With the Washington Post accurate make it four out of four pinocchios . Are they accurate or wrong . I would resume the Washington Post did what they thought was with their practices. There is an impact of sequestration on jobs. Its demonic mr. Porcari, mr. Lahood said others could experience up to 90 minutes during peak hours because we fear are controllers on. Mr. Meadows tells me last week in transportation and Infrastructure Committee dfa at the straighter it did under questioning the 90 minute delays and cities are not based on data or study. Is that true . Same question to mr. Miller. Do you have databases going to happen . I flew this week and it didnt happen to me. We know impacts your chicago would be a good example. By having less controllers on duty, chicago has two hours. But not in the north tower is there any study that indicates this is going to be the case . If so, with the faa administrator mifflin in the Transportation Infrastructure Committee last week when he said theres no data that this is the case. It is difficult to measure precisely until the cuts are in effect. We know have a Significant Impact in the primary impact will be on our busiest once again it was a gas. The secretary of education and transportation suggesting that the data or study to support these attacks are going to happen in the Washington Post saying he misled the American People 24 out of four pinocchios. Those are reasonable estimate of what we know now. Did you start planning like a good planner or later but do . Did you start planning the 2011 when the gophers past click we were well prepared. We started planning in the fall. Mr. Chairman, i yield back. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Mr. Miller, the ig reports or 2010, 90 of audits the issue since 2007 have not been resolved within six months. 53 or overdue by an average of almost three years come including question cost of 568 million. Due to the statute of limitations, it appears costs questioned by the ig and audits, the department wants the opportunity to recover 415 million of cost. Two years later in january 2012, 42 per numbers still unresolved. My question to you is is that acceptable performance by the department . We are in agreement that we need to improve our ability to resolve audits in a more timely way, including through completion of the corrective action plan. Its directly whether taken steps most recently with the formulation of a dedicated task force. The party had a 30 , 33 reduction should take a 20 fiscal year. You agree of us the opportunity to recover 415 million in costs. Probably stated with a look at the recovery that becomes total potential of which based on finding what the public interest, the amount when we attend the recovery is a fraction of the total potential costs. I would not want to leave an impression the 400 million figure was the amount of recovery that wouldve happened. That would be inaccurate. Inspector tighe, do you have any comments . I would agree we probably would not see any recovery 415 million. Part of our point is when you let the statute of limitations when you have no opportunity to do any thing. A lot of that money didnt involve School Districts and state and local entities who we know are virtually undetectable minute. On the other hand, part of the problem is not just the money. The fact when you dont resolve the audit all communities the opportunity to work with the states and other jurisdiction to put in internal controls to make sure they spend the money wisely. So you really lose a number of opportunities. Mr. Miller, how much money do you spend, what resources are expended in the suspension and department process in the department . Im not sure we have i dont have the specific allocation because that would be an allocation of individuals across oldschool functions. We can get the specific investment were making on the process. If you would get that to the committee, that would be helpful. Have any grantees or contractors been suspended or disbarred in the past three years quick 150 departments through 2010 and the number has increased sense. What kinds of offenses . We could give you a break down of those. Of any individuals then depart permanently . That i cant answer specifically. Would you provide that as well . Of course. I think the department has tried to make improvements in how its focus on departments and the nonprocurement area. As for his grantees can usually the grantees themselves or People Associated with grant that have been debarred based option on criminal investigative work. To see grantees themselves are debarred may overstate. The department doesnt do barrio entity. Well take individuals out of the entity. I think the Department Still faces challenges in making a suspension process effect. We did a report last year that highlighted some issues. Thank you. I yield back. With a gentlelady yelled . The 450 million, would it be fair to say if you have every one of those in a situation which are negotiating with the excess recipient that the future savings by not having mr. P. Would certainly be as great as 415 million further behavioral change revealed; in addition to recovery . Absolutely. We have not quantified the fact you can save money over the long haul but in internal controls into place. Thank you. I think youre the right line. I appreciate your yielding. Without we go to mr. Jordan, and returning stars recognize. I dont know about that. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Mr. Porcari, some have said mr. Lahood stier points are not backed up by Financial Data and may suggest that the faa to 500 elion and 200 million on supplies and travel. I know this is the faa, but do you think that is something they can focus on . We could not achieve savings that way and ill be glad to document why. Im a first find out what the sequestered means. Two thirds basically 74 of our department is exempt from the sequestered, which means the sequestration cut followed on a portion of the department, primarily the federal aviation commission. A 5 cut is the equivalent of a 9 cut my question is does the faa part of your budget spend 500 million a year those categories exist. This fitness categories is important. Let me ask another way. This buyer and i discovered this two weeks ago that we all remember the gsa to las vegas for this 600 per day per conference and if you set as a benchmark, 183 times agencies have exceeded that mark and conferences. I remember defense was 50 times and they had exceeded the benchmark. In the past year has the department of transportation helped conferences around the country . How many . Do you know fewer above or below the benchmark . For the 600 a day per conference . We stay within the per diem requirements. He said we could get that information. Mr. Jordan, which you yield . When he said per diem, but finished the individual get paid. Whos asking how much is spent. The scandal was not about per diem. Im referring to the per diem rate for hotels. How many conferences did you send employees to last year . Ill be happy to get you that. Ive been reviewing and approving conferences. As much as its been a news of the gsa in the hearing two weeks ago, 183 times youve used that number and you dont know that information . You dont omnicom as he went to . Would achieve the same as we think we can achieve. Would like to have that information the committee. Maybe the american taxpayer doesnt. Thats why we have these hearings. Mr. Scovell, do you know how many times they went on trips . Chairman issa requested that information. Fiscal year 2010 total cost 12,833,000. The number of conferences was 49. Were going to have 90 minute delays because the sequestered. Were going to have to furlough faa agents. The fact you know that information in the agency had dozens of the problem. If i may, the single largest faa Conference Part of the department is Safety Training for air Traffic Controllers. Im not saying some of them arent important. Let me move quickly if i can. Mr. Miller, do you know how many conferences you sent employers to last year . It was roughly theres no roughly to it. How many did you go to . Time, 49 . Below 49. Ms. Tighe coming to know how many it was . Cheat of the costs for travel conferences . Review the cause in earlier submissions to the senate, but i dont have that off the top of my head. To know how much the department of education and the comets as last year . About 10 million. The largest caiman , and employees to have . 4400. How many of the department of transportation . 55,000. Thats amazing. Instead of having the secretaries of the federal agencies scaring the American People, maybe cut back on conferences and achieve savings for taxpayers and do the way youre supposed to. But that i yield back. We now recognize the gentleman from northern virginia, mr. Connolly. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Gosh, if the American People want to wonder why its hard to Reach Agreement sequestration, perhaps that last run questioning clears that up. Mr. Trained for, i went to give you an opportunity without badgering you to answer the question fully in terms of air Traffic Controller training because there seems to be confusion between conferences and training. Which you care to explain what you were trying to get at before being interrupted . What the gentleman yield for a second . Id like to ask the clock be stopped. What i was referring to with air Traffic Controllers is although some of the duties are technically listed in the conference, there is a safety agenda or they are basically getting updated education and safety at dignities and other vital parts of their role. We think thats a very important part of what they do. We also think its managements responsibilities, minus chief operating officer should make sure they do that responsibly and as costeffectively as possible. For the last year and a half weve been carefully reviewing conferences where, when, how many people going with the agenda is. Terran one and thank you for the courtesy. To followup on that, what train are we talking about . Is this just how to party, how to have a good time in las vegas . This is serious Safety Training. For example a number of new technologies deployed. We share safety data. There are daylong at trinity is further having various saf