Difficult times. We are looking at a growing debt of nearly $20 trillion, so we know that we have to address that.

Part of my concern is, if we shut down some of the fusion centers or if we take away enough of the funds to where they are ineffective, the impact that that is going to have on local law enforcement, which we are growing to a point where…

Just about 2 weeks ago, we passed on the House floor the ALERT Act, which... removes some of the bureaucratic hurdles...

I hope that you will work closely with us. Because when we look at this magnitude of cuts, on top of the Department of Justice suspending the revenue sharing through the Asset Forfeiture Program, which has already had an impact in my…

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 3797, the Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment Act, or the SENSE Act. Mr. Chairman, coal refuse is an aboveground waste product…

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Senator Tommie Williams and his retirement from the Georgia State Senate. Since first being elected to office in 1998, Senator Williams has spent the last 18 years representing his South Georgia…

Kids cannot be in these schools. It is just unacceptable.

I met a lady yesterday that told me about her son and his condition, and she wanted to know why his premiums had gotten so high and his deductible was like $10,000.

Last year, the administration had Ambassador Paula Dobriansky, former Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, actually propose to this committee that the West impose an embargo on spare parts for Russian oil refineries.

I was proud to help author the Veterans Choice Program, and I know that program has helped many veterans get health care without having to wait long or drive far.

This program will be the one program for veterans to receive care in their community.

We are on the cusp--we are not there yet, but we are on the cusp--of being able to bring to the floor of the U.S. Senate a major comprehensive omnibus veterans bill.

We do want accountability in the VA. Do want Choice to work, we want caregivers providing care to those injured prior to 9/11/2001 to have the same benefits as those afterwards.

We must fix this and get it right for our veterans.

This, in turn, will ensure veterans will be able to get the timely, quality health care they've earned.

Our goal is to have an omnibus bill that this Committee, Democrat and Republican alike, agrees to.

The accountability piece is kind of the linchpin for me, and I have harped on it the most.

I think ultimate accountability to you as the best authority, as the leader.