Julia Brownley

It is a matter of equity to have the post-9/11 men and women receive the caregiver services.

I just think that the CalVet raises an important issue, and I think the fact that you are drawing on the data to create a long-term plan is really important.

Now we must look towards other programs such as home health aides and assisted living facilities.

Veterans prefer to stay in their home generally, and I believe also that many of these in-home services or community-based services at the end of the day is less expensive in the long run than institutionalized care is.

The President hasn't signed it yet, but we did pass that.

But some of the other programs that we have mentioned here today could be available to Veterans.

I would argue we need higher standards for our Veterans because their cases are complicated.

I think it is important in many respects for the VA to compare themselves to the private sector.

I appreciate you, Mr. Lawrence, for right up-front stating deadlines and timeframes. We don't get that that often and so I appreciate all of the work that you are doing.

I think in some way we are going to have to figure out how to measure productivity, but also putting a value on the fact that doctors, medical professionals within the VA spend time with veterans to answer their questions.

I personally feel like the very best strategy to address this issue altogether is just to eliminate the use of burn pits.

It is both unfortunate and disappointing, as the Chairman said, that the agency who will need to be a true partner is unwilling to participate in today's discussion.

This unfair cap on Chapter 31 harms the ability of older veterans to access employment services.

I appreciate the Subcommittee's commitment to improving the VA's various veteran employment programs.

Thank you for the opportunity to testify today in support of my bill, H.R. 5452, the Reduce Unemployment for Veterans of All Ages Act.

H.R. 5452 is supported by the VSOs as a commonsense solution to simplify the program and help get more veterans back to work.

We need to address veteran unemployment at all ages and ensure America's heroes have the support they need in the 21st century economy.

We worked in a bipartisan way to fix that unfairness in the caregiver program and we should do the same here with Chapter 31.

Again, I thank the gentleman from Minnesota for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4334, the Improving Oversight of Women Veterans' Care Act. I want to thank my colleague on the committee, the gentleman from California…

I thank the gentleman from Minnesota for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4451, the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act. I thank the gentleman from Ohio, the chair of the House Veterans'…

So then why did some of these disasters happen in some of these VISNs? And if that is the role and responsibilities, why did it happen?

I am concerned that the current VISN structure is leading to unclear roles and responsibilities at the highest levels of VA management.

I thank the gentleman from Minnesota for yielding, and I thank him, also, for his leadership on the committee. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the VA MISSION Act because it makes significant improvements to the VA that our Nation's…

We need to come together to figure out the best way to ensure vital research to advance veterans health care needs is funded.

VA's relationship to its academic affiliates is essential if VA is to provide the level of health care that we all expect for our veterans.