There's a human face behind every one of these issues.

I was just as frank with the last Administration as I will be with this one, and I'll do it as long as the Administration fights.

the profound importance of spouse commitment to the readiness and well-being of servicemembers . . . and to the security of our Nation.

So, VA would be aware of veterans who appear to need those benefits but do not currently qualify?

It shocks me to look back over the 50 years and see the similarities of every Commission that came out and the incredible predictability of the bureaucracy in Washington to say, well, you know what? It doesn't need to change.

I think this committee is excellent, and I certainly think it is time that we try to mesh the two in a seamless fashion.

It feels like we ought to be doing something about that, too.

I'm going to wait for the next panel, thank you.

It is an awful thing, an awful thing to separate a mother from her children.

At every turn in the road we failed you. And we didn't come to you until it was time to kick your butt.

It is an awful thing, an awful thing, to separate a mother from her children.

Mrs. Jennings, I'm not mad at you....The fact of the matter is, nobody has ever been there for you when you needed it.

One of the bills on the agenda that I feel passionately about is S. 669, the Veterans' 2nd Amendment Protection Act.

What is being done to ensure that Guam has adequate resources to make the necessary infrastructure improvements to its port and roads to support the buildup of marines and other U.S. forces?

General Chiarelli, can you describe what steps the Army is taking to address this shortfall through the Captain's Incentive Program, as well as any other relevant efforts?

much attention has been given to the current readiness of our combat units.

do you foresee any risk or the possibility of an inability of the Army to provide adequate body armor to deploying forces?

the increase in ground forces in Afghanistan announced last month by President Obama falls heavily on the Marine Corps.