I return from a month of district work in the state of Hawaii on Tuesday, September 4.  Some have called the annual Congressional recess a vacation, but I can assure you my staff and I have been hard at work addressing the important issues facing our nation during the month of August.  Some of the highlights included our recent visits across the state to meet with veterans to discuss my work as Chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and to listen to suggestions for improving the delivery of veterans' benefits and programs.  Hundreds of Hawaii veterans turned out for this series of Committee field hearings and "Town Hall" meetings.

The Senate goes back into session on Tuesday the 4th to consider a variety of measures including the nomination of Jim Nussle as the director of the Office of Management and Budget.  Also this week, a number of hearings assessing the current situation in Iraq.  We expect a full assessment of President George Bush's surge strategy from our top commander, General David Petraeus, later this month.