At a hearing last year prior to General Flowers' confirmation, I noted that legitimate policy issues had been raised on topics like the integrity of the Corps' economic analyses and the future role of the Corps. I told General Flowers, however, that I believed he should be given the chance to settle into his new duties for a time before being asked to decide whether or not any management reforms are necessary.
The purpose of today's hearing is to find out what, if any, changes General Flowers thinks should be made. Some believe that the Corps is a rogue agency, out of control. The integrity of the Corps' analyses has been disputed. Others have alleged that the Corps is a victim of inappropriate political pressures, with various federal agencies meddling in the Corps' professional judgements.
I have reviewed the Investigator General's report that was released last December, and the National Research Council report released last February. Their findings were troubling. I look forward to hearing General Flowers recommendations for Corps reforms now that he has been on the job for several months and has had the opportunity to study these reports.