We do nothing to solve the problems of the American people because the Senate does not function.

It would be terrible on the part of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives if we failed to reach an agreement to conclude this work.

If you live long distances from a VA facility, that the VA will provide that care for you.

The focus has to be on the people who provide patient care, not the folks who get in the way of that patient care.

I hope you will consider me and other Members of this Committee allies as you try to develop a strategy and implement that strategy which benefits those who have served our country.

the money is going in the wrong place.

I am very concerned that this conference committee will end up taking a step backward for veterans' health care in this country.

I have never asked for a Cabinet Secretary's resignation. This is the first time I have ever done that in my time in Congress.

It seems to me that we were right, there is a culture and a systemic problem if the Secretary cannot trust the people that he or she must deal with.

I thought a change in leadership at the Department of Veterans Affairs was required.

Veterans deserve better. They have earned the health care.

I never got an answer.

I think we should be able to expect an honest, fair, and timely response, and it has not occurred.

my ability to care for the veterans back home in Kansas is handicapped by the sense that I have had that the Department of Veterans Affairs does not trust us

suggests that they wanted failure.

I authored legislation that ultimately created a pilot program... that says if you live long distances from a VA hospital outpatient facility, you can access that at home

What seems to me to be different today, Mr. Secretary, and it has occurred over time, is the recognition that the VA, in a sense, was just shrugging its shoulders, no real attention to problems.

I look forward to working with you during your time at the Department of Veterans Affairs to see that the results are things that we all can be proud of.