Raul Ruiz

Thank you Mr. Chairman. As always, I want to thank our witnesses here today for taking time to testify and to help us understand your views on these bills.

H.R. 2538, introduced by my friend and colleague, Rep. Huffman, will take approximately 511 acres in Sonoma County, California, into trust as part of the reservation of the Lytton Rancheria.

H.R. 2538, introduced by my friend and colleague Rep. Huffman, will take approximately 511 acres in Sonoma County, California, into trust as part of the reservation of the Lytton Rancheria.

While I empathize with the concerns of the villages, I understand that there are serious concerns that enactment of these legislations could have sweeping and harmful impacts to the forest and the economy of southeastern Alaska.

The new land, which the Tribe holds in fee status, will ensure that they will finally have a permanently protected homeland on which they can plan for future generations.

One veteran being affected is one too many.

For one veteran whose credit rating makes it a matter of whether he can pay rent or not, it is severe.

As VA implements this centralized processing and payment system for all VA fee-basis care, we must ensure that the focus remain on the veterans.

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment. The Clerk read as follows: Page 31, line 9, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced by $5,000,000) (increased by $5,000,000)''. The Acting CHAIR…

That is why I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 271, the COVER Act, which I am glad to see included in today's hearing.

The VA's mission is to care for those that, quote, 'shall have borne the battle.'

Thank you, Senator Blumenthal, and we look forward to working with you and having further discussions about the importance of getting this right.

Federal recognition is extremely important and valuable to a tribe's economic and social condition.

Congress must demonstrate the same diligence in fulfilling their duty to veterans and we must rid the VA of the systemic wrongdoing and those who perpetrated it.

This simple, bipartisan legislation will provide the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) the flexibility they need.

Last Congress this committee worked hard to create the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act, which expands opportunities for veterans to seek private care if the VA cannot provide the care they need when they need it.

I am honored to again represent my district's veterans on this subcommittee and veterans around the country as well.

If we can identify them early while they are in the Department of Defense, put them in a pipeline program...

Our veterans have spoken and I join them in their message in saying that anything less than the highest standard of healthcare that is veteran centered will not be tolerated.

Our approach means the world of difference to veterans and we approach this with a spirit of problem solving.

The vast majority again said, quote, 'people who care.'

About a third said that they cited a shortage of staff.

The vast majority of my district veterans who responded said that they waited more than 60 days.

This bill aims to reduce the appeals backlog by making the VA appeals process as efficient as possible.

I'm committed to addressing the appeals backlog as well and helping veterans resolve their claims timely and accurately.