Mike Coffman

This hearing is necessary in order to accomplish a number of items.

There was a tragic failure in leadership at the local level, the VISN level, and at the VA central office level.

Furthermore, there has been a serious breakdown in how the VA assessed its responsibility in diagnosing and reporting Legionella.

Make no mistake, the VA will be closely scrutinized for its actions towards those who have testified here today.

My thanks to the panel. VA Pittsburgh has been caught manipulating their own data to cover poor maintenance of the copper-silver system.

So it was preventable. Dr. Stout?

Thank you so much, panel. And I just want to note again for the record that the individuals that were requested to be here and testify, that were directly involved in this particular incident, are not here today.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I actually read these things. And I cannot read them if I do not get them.

What happened in Pittsburgh could have been prevented and veterans have unnecessarily paid the price.

Pursuant to clause 2(e)(4) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House, public hearing records of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs are also published in electronic form.

Your training is inadequate. Because you have a culture in the United States Air Force that allowed these really pervasive sexual assaults to occur by your senior enlisted personnel during basic training.

I would never support a cut that compromised the national security or the capability of this country to defend itself.

It seems like we care more about defending South Korea than the South Koreans.

I think that we are capable of more cuts in the Department of Defense.

I believe that the Congress of the United States should stay in session until we resolve this problem of sequestration.

This whole notion of nation building, which has been so incredibly costly.

I can tell you, out in those forward operating bases, communications is pretty tough sometimes.

I think they have since adjusted those laws.

I really think that the most sacred right afforded to Americans is the right to vote.

In light of this Administration's and Secretary Chu's troubling energy policies, it is imperative that the Committee vet the objectives laid out in this memorandum.

I too rise in support of Mr. Perlmutter's comments in relationship to our own Aurora Police Department, as well as all the other law enforcement entities that have helped in this terrible tragedy. I now yield as much time as he may consume…

I'd like to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tipton).

I just have one question. And that is that it appears that there has not been a credible election yet in Afghanistan by international standards.

To the gentleman from Washington, there is no requirement where we have to maintain a permanent military presence in Europe. The Acting CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.