Madam Chair, on a preliminary matter, could the clerk, when he gets the witnesses, try to make some determination as to their willingness to come personally or appear via video conferencing. I know that in some instances it's difficult for the witnesses to pay for the expenses up front and then be reimbursed. I don't want to take away from their ability to testify, but if it's easier for them financially to testify via teleconferencing, I think all efforts should be made to determine whether or not that's really better for them.
On June 13th, 2013. See this statement in context.