I would like to take a few minutes this afternoon to perhaps switch the discussion from what my colleagues were referring to earlier in terms of the budget and speak a little bit about the issue of energy--obviously, a topic of great…

I often wonder whether the same stigma that attaches to just the need for services for behavioral health might also attach when it comes to issues as they relate to sexual trauma, sexual harassment.

It is difficult to hear that we would go backward on our research--go backward on the progress that we have made.

It is the health of the whole family, not just the soldier, that we need to address here.

I think there are more things that could be done.

I commend the sponsors of the legislation, appreciate Senator Murkowski taking the lead on this legislation.

I appreciate your comment earlier about working together more collaboratively within IHS and with the tribes.

I appreciate you stating not only that you will work with us on this.

It's a misconception that the hydropower resource is tapped out.

I guess I look at those budget numbers and would suggest that we're clearly picking winners and losers.

we commend both you and Senator Murkowski for seeking input on the policy.

I clearly like what Secretary Chu has stated about hydropower, about it being an incredible source.

Is it necessary for the Congress to provide you with any additional legislative authority in order to reduce the number of veterans that are sent outside for care?

I consider it to be one of our hardest-working renewable resources and, unfortunately, one that sometimes gets overlooked a little bit in the clean energy debate.

Do we need a Department of Water?

So there is, what you would consider to be, a definitive plan that is either under way or is on the books for after 2018?

So, how am I to interpret this statement when you say that the Department's priorities are set by the budget?

There's certainly no question that hydropower is, and must continue to be, part of our energy solution.

I think the answer is clearly there. It is not as if we need to create or build VA facilities in every small community in America.

It's one thing to come down for open heart surgery, which may be a super special kind of thing to do, but on the other hand, routine surgery that could be performed in Anchorage on a contract or in-fee basis probably ought to be looked at.

But you have to admit that that's pretty minimal, given the totality of the, of what hydropower has to offer.

I think it has meaningful consequence and unfortunately, possibly negative consequence if we're looking at a lot of the deferrals.

It's clean, it's efficient, it's inexpensive. Yet, despite tremendous benefits, I'm amazed at how often it seems to be undervalued as a resource.

I do agree that we must do more to really understand what that nexus is, and how it works.

We are going to look at very closely why we would send a veteran on a 2,000-mile journey if there is competent, safe healthcare available close by.