The story of this Denver replacement facility should have been about the government improving the delivery of care to our veterans, instead of how feckless and shortsighted it can be.

I do think we have complete agreement that we need to find the money and that we will finish the project.

There is no other option.

Your willingness to hold this hearing in Colorado--it is very unusual not to have it in Washington--is a real demonstration and testament to your seriousness, and it honors Colorado's veterans and the veterans of the Rocky Mountain West.

nothing else in Washington runs as well as this Committee runs under this chairman. So, we are grateful for the example.

Bottom line: those most hurt by the VA's negligence and mismanagement are our veterans and our taxpayers who have lost faith in the VA to complete this project.

What are we going to do at the VA to ensure that that never happens again?

I am sorry to interrupt, but also include in the need access to care by the rural veterans as well.

globalization has put pressure on middle-class wages.

I also have meetings that I need to----

the central challenge we face has been the decoupling of wage growth and job growth from economic growth.