I am especially pleased that the budget appears to fund legislation I authored and was signed into law last year to help our veterans who are at risk of becoming homeless.

I do not want to squander the opportunity for change afforded by this budget because of miscalculations or misuse of funds.

We must take care of our veterans.

I want you to know what a special privilege it is to have you in this position.

Many members brought up in their opening statements concerns as it relates to the VA's intent to raise revenue by billing insurance companies and charging them for the VA's care related, I think, to medical services even for…

There are very few issues that are more important, in my estimation, than to ensure that the programs and the services for our veterans are adequately funded.

I think we may all be shocked at how close the ideas come.

I challenged the VSOs several weeks ago, General, to start with a clean piece of paper and tell us how to design that process so that we would not have a backlog system, and I say to all of them that are here today I am still waiting for…

We suggest that Congress pass legislation creating a 'Federal Applicant's Bill of Rights.'

Rep. David Price's Roosevelt Scholars Act is another measure that could help the department.

If we go forward with this idea, we will be creating an unlimited number of Fannie Maes and Freddie Macs, companies that are seen in the market as ultimately backed by the Federal Government.

I commend you for reopening that comment period.

I can assure you, sir, that no one wants to see FEMA succeed more than the members of this Subcommittee.

To help us answer these questions, we have before us an experienced, battle-hardened State emergency manager...

the peaceful transfer of power from one President to the next may well be the finest single example of American democracy.

I did not appreciate the dismissive comments of the D.C. Police Chief.

How did you determine this was an appropriate staffing level? Was this reviewed by anyone, or was this solely your determination?

Mr. Price. Well, I believe Mr. Sullivan and his agency are the overall coordinating agency.