I believe the VA must continue to look at complementary and alternative treatments, such as cannabis, that can help veterans cope with the invisible wounds of war.

I am excited to discuss the legislation on today's agenda.

Veterans are often placated with 'cocktails' of prescription drugs, including powerful and addictive opiates.

It is integral that veterans seeking peer-to-peer counseling are afforded an opportunity to speak with a peer that they can relate to.

I am proud of the work being done within this Committee and throughout this congress to preserve and enhance the VA health care.

Unfortunately, these fires are the new normal for California.

I just can't tell you, on behalf of all the residents of my community, they are so very, very grateful.

I think you said it was a 5 percent increase, but you also said that the increase of women veterans has doubled.

I would urge you to ensure that the lessons learned from the Phoenix crisis, and any relevant subsequent events, are applied in VISNs 1, 5, and 22.

We have to get back down to some of the foundational issues which is filling these positions and having, you know, sort of state-of-the-art IT systems across the VA.

I concur with my colleague Mr. Takano on, you know, the issues that he was raising about so many unfilled positions across the VA.

Do you have any concerns--anybody can speak to it, but do people have concerns about that?