the reason they had the ailments that they had, I believe, was directly due to a very, very intense herbicide called Agent Orange that was made to kill plants but also killed people.

What is more responsible than taking care of the people who risk their very lives defending this country?

We are responsible for these men and women. Providing them health care and benefits is responsible.

Last month, Senator Collins and I sent a letter urging the newly-appointed AHI coordinator to address some of the most pressing issues--at the top of that list is equitable access to care for victims.

We have seen the rate of suicide rise among military members over the last 5 years, I would say significantly.

I think it is a bigger problem actually.

There is no readiness issue more important than continuing to ensure the physical and mental health of the Force.

Nearly 9.5 million Americans, from private to general, from service member to spouse, from recruit to retiree, depend upon you for the healthcare services that you oversee.

I am Chairman of the VA Committee, we are working on toxic exposure. It is a huge issue because, number one, there are inaccurate records of exposure as folks come out of the military.

I would like to know more about how the DoD is moving into the next phase of caring for the physical and mental health of our military members and their families.

The policies that you have put forth to deal with mental health, are they measurable, and are you measuring them?

I would have never thought that, the very first hearing I had, when they said to use telehealth, I said it would never work.

I would love to say we will never have another conflict, but the way Putin is acting it is hard to say that.

Mental health, I have been here 15 years, we have been talking about mental health for 15 years on the VA Committee.

I think we can be frustrated.

Any suicide is clearly a tragedy.

thank you folks for all your work. It is very, very important work

The Honoring Our PACT Act is the comprehensive solution for toxic exposures.