This is the time to make real changes.

The Veterans Health Care System is a promise we made to America's veterans--that we will take care of them in return for their service and sacrifice.

Clearly, this problem has gone on far too long.

The lack of transparency and the lack of accountability is inexcusable and cannot continue.

I would like to ask you--perhaps we can start with Mr. Dellinger--what needs to happen in a face-to-face audit to truly elicit the kind of information we need to address the challenges and the problems at VA hospitals and clinics.

I think it certainly encourages the kind of activities that we are scrutinizing today.

As we look at the potential need for making systemic changes to how VA operates...

I would envision that any kind of an assessment of the entire VA health care system would involve not just this process that Secretary Shinseki has described to us.

Aloha. I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 83, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. First, I thank the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller), who I had the pleasure and honor of serving with on the House Homeland Security…

Thank you for your leadership on this issue for many, many years, on a bipartisan basis.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill (H.R. 3627) was ordered to…

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 8, 2014; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be…

if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 7:40 p.m., adjourned until Thursday, May 8, 2014, at 9:30 a.m…

tomorrow there will be a series of votes at 11:15 a.m and another series at 1:45 p.m. ____________________

as in executive session, I ask unanimous consent that the injunction of secrecy be removed from the following treaty transmitted to the Senate on May 7, 2014, by the President of the United States: the Protocol Amending the Tax Convention…

on the Senate floor we have been focusing on policies that give Americans a fair shot, bills that would help to reverse the growing trend of income inequality and create more opportunities to climb the economic ladder, the idea that if you…

I now ask for a second reading, and I object to my own request, all en bloc. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection having been heard, the bills will be read for the second time on the next legislative day. ____________________

I understand that there are two bills at the desk, and I ask for their first reading en bloc. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will read the bills by title for the first time. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R…