the money that airlines earn on ticket fares, the monies that airlines recoup from ancillary costs, like baggage fees, is not subject to Federal excise taxes

I have great respect for the sovereignty of our Native American tribes.

This proposed rule is a disservice to everyone involved in the process.

We need to be careful as to what we do to the process, as well as what we may do to the rules.

the proposed changes to the federal tribal acknowledgment regulations are unjustified and threaten serious adverse consequences for Connecticut.

I will be one of the first in line at the courthouse door if I believe that these rules are inconsistent with the statutes.

we need to expedite the process, and to upgrade the fairness, consistency, and transparency, which means changing the process, not the rules.

the proposed rules that were issued on May 29, 2014--were unacceptable. Not just unacceptable as a matter of policy, but actually illegal, as contrary to law.

the simple fact is that if these rules are not significantly changed, we are going to see years of litigation

I cannot accept that the VA is unable to provide those kinds of numbers.

Women are, in fact, one of the fastest growing segments of the overall veterans' population.

I am asking, essentially, how many do you need to hire or get on board somehow?

But, they are not available in sufficient number.

Let me be a little more precise, in fairness to you, rather than just asking you such an open-ended question.

If I were your mom or your parent, or if you were one of my two sons who has served in our military, one in the Marine Corps Reserve, the other in the Navy, my opinion would be--and I would be angry about it--that the VA failed you.

Thank you very much.

As a resident of Ranking Member Blumenthal's district in Connecticut, he knows well of what I speak.

For too long, VA has been thought of as somewhat of an old-boys club, and changing that culture requires making important infrastructure and staffing changes.

I can tell you, my impression is from what I have heard about your work that you are more than just productive. You are very exceptional, an expert at what you do.

Thanks, Mr. Chairman.

But, my understanding is that it needs more.

I introduced successfully the Clay Hunt Veteran Suicide Prevention bill, to provide more mental health services to our veterans.

When, in fact, involvement of patients in care, listening to the patient, is one of the preeminent principles of modern health care.

And are people secure in the confidentiality and anonymity of the service that's provided?

There are too many homeless women veterans. There are too many women veterans in need of medical care that is simply inaccessible to them.