Many in Congress--from both sides of the aisle--are less than enthusiastic at the present about the management capabilities of the VA.

I thank the Chair. I thank the Ranking Member. I thank my colleagues.

I give a great deal of credit to Senator Crapo for passionately advocating for veterans in Idaho.

The VFW thanks Senator Burr for ensuring VA does not withhold care from veterans who may not know their insurance status has changed.

I'd also like to thank Senator Tester for his work on this issue as well.

I will close by saying this, that the Veterans Choice Improvement Act will help veterans across America get the best health care we have to offer.

I will be tenacious until we actually get your compliance.

So your testimony is you meet with 100 percent of the people that ask? How do you do that with a staff of 45 people?

If your testimony is--because on the January 29 meeting that he has talked about where you actually came in and talked about subpoena compliance with staff, actually you provided a few rolling document productions.

Let me tell you, what it smells like here is that you are not being truthful with this committee.

Ultimately ---- if someone is not complying with a subpoena, it is not the general counsel, it is not your staff, it is you because your name is on the subpoena.

If you are having discussions with them, how could that not be helping them develop the rule?

I think they are 100 percent at fault.

I proudly put my butt on the line for Barack Obama and would do it again ten out ten times.

Mr. President, I appreciate the opportunity to come to the floor and talk a little about the ongoing dialogue we are having on the Supreme Court nomination. Before I start this speech, I wanted to comment on something for those who think…

We have an obligation to take care of our families and our retirees.

I think collaboration and collaboration with the private sector and the communities you are embedded in--I would like to see more of that.

I thank the Presiding Officer. Mr. President, I didn't have any intention to speak today, but one of the blessings of being a freshman Member is you get the opportunity to preside and hear the arguments that are going on in the Chamber and…