Jerry McNerney

I guess my only concern is in the details of how we make these selections, and I appreciate your saying how flexible you're willing to be about that.

The purpose of today's hearing will be to explore the policy implications of eight bills, ranging on issues as varied as the disability compensation COLA to the residency requirements of the judges of the Court of Appeals for Veterans…

I am encouraged by the Veterans Day Moment of Silence offered by Mr. Frank of Massachusetts.

The Veterans Missing in America Act, H.R. 2051, sponsored by Mr. Tiberi is a good, well-meaning measure.

My concern is with how we're going to carry that out on a way that's fair, and it doesn't give a non-veteran benefits that they haven't earned.

I think we need to all work together to properly honor and remember the individuals who are laid to rest at Clark Veterans Cemetery.

I concur with the stakeholders that there are probably better requirements upon which to base qualifications to serve on this Article I Court.

The experiences of our men and women returning home complaining about lack of a clear outline of access to care.

the goal is to make it seamless for the servicemember.

This hearing will allow us to not just to assess the effectiveness of the Integrated Disability Evaluation System.

that is not good enough.

The purpose of this hearing is to focus on the transition process of servicemembers to veterans.

I really do appreciate the testimony that was given this morning.

I've been listening to these stories for the last five or six years, many of them are very touching stories, they've served hard, and now they have earned rights and benefits in this country, and it's our duty as Members of this Committee…

That might explain why it is hard to find volunteers if they are not reimbursed for their allowable expenses, such as travel and so on.

Okay. The Independent Budget also noted that between 2010 and 2011, that NCA's annual facilities conditional assessment, the FCA, reported a 10 percent decline, from 84 to 74 percent, in what is considered acceptable for NCA structures.

Ensuring a proper burial for our fallen heroes is a solemn obligation.

I want to recognize former Chairman Bob Filner's efforts to direct the NCA to change its requirements for establishing a national cemetery.

One hundred fifty years ago, in 1862, President Abraham Lincoln created a National Veterans Cemetery System and dedicated it for the soldiers who shall die in the service of this country.

That is an issue that is important. We need to make sure that those families get reimbursed a sufficient amount.

Well, at one point I heard that families were having difficulty finding military honor guards for veterans' funerals in some instances. Has this situation been resolved yet?

We need to work with--between the VA to open up this line of communications, because that is not acceptable.

There is a growing public apprehension and alarm with potential negative impacts of hydraulic fracturing.

In reference to our Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs hearing entitled 'Budget Hearing FY 2013'...

We owe it to our veterans and their families to get it right the first time, every time.