It has taken 8 years for them to----

Ms. Wasserman Schultz. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

And I understand, given that your goal is one program--are you analyzing which program, ultimately, would be phased out?

we have female veterans that are committing suicide at a rate of six times that of women civilians.

Clearly, the Inspector General plays a vital role in ensuring that VA programs are implemented properly and that funds appropriated by this committee are spent wisely and in accordance with the law.

I find it extremely troubling that the Under Secretary of Health, the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology... are all positions that remain empty.

Okay. And then you mentioned the reorganization and Jared Kushner's office's goals. Are those goals aligned with yours?

I stand in strong opposition to H.R. 1181, the ``so-called'' Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act. Mr. Speaker, twenty veterans a day tragically take their own lives. Just ONE veteran taking his or her own life is one too many. But twenty…

In listening to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle this morning, I am struck by the adage, ``You are entitled to your opinion, but you are not entitled to your own facts.'' I think it is important to note that the reality of the…

We are never going to finish restoration of the Everglades if----

Are we really not funding non-CERP projects under the Corps construction account at all?

And lastly, you mentioned in your statement, Lieutenant General Semonite, that the budget gives priority to coastal ports with high levels of commercial traffic.

It is critical to our region that the Port Everglades Channel is widened and deepened.

What criteria was used in crafting the amounts allocated in this budget? Because I can tell you right now, $420,000 is sorely insufficient for the operation and maintenance of such a vital port like Port Everglades.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and welcome to our colleagues.

I know I always appreciate having a chance to go to committees and talk about my constituents’ priorities.

With the Budget Control Act of 2011 and sequestration, we continue to see dramatic cuts in nondefense discretionary spending, dramatic cuts.

Our colleagues on the other side of the aisle would do well to stop patting themselves on the back for and take credit for voters putting them in the majority rather than the cartographers and map drawers who did a really good job of…

Please spare us the political advice.

Legislators choose their voters.

Under the current caps on annual appropriations, Federal investment in infrastructure, R&D, education and training, will soon be smaller relative to GDP than at any time in the last 50 years.

And would not you say that generally taking a balanced approach which is what Democrats have promoted over the last 8 years to responsible spending cuts and generating revenue is the most responsible way to address deficits over a period…

What is important to remember is, repealing the ACA hurts real people across the country in profound ways.

At the end of the day, the majority is clearly proposing to repeal the Affordable Care Act without assuring us that we would have universal access to quality affordable coverage. That is unconscionable, unacceptable and we will not allow…

The majority of people who already had coverage before the Affordable Care Act will be significantly harmed by repeal.