On the recordNovember 10, 2015
I want to thank Senator Kirk and Senator Tester for their outstanding work on this appropriations bill; Senator Murray for her cooperation and help on caregivers and so many programs in the committee; and Senator Collins and her work on MILCON. I want to encourage all my fellow Members of the Senate to vote favorably on this legislation when it comes before us later today. I want everyone to stop, take a deep breath, and think about three things: No. 1, today is the 240th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps--the strongest veterans we have, veterans who fought and died for us around the world for 2\1/2\ centuries. Tomorrow, at the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we celebrate the armistice of World War I and Veterans Day in America. And today on the floor of the Senate, we are fixing some problems that have confronted our veterans for the better part of the last 10 years. As the Members of the committee who are on the floor know, the VA literally almost collapsed 2 years ago. Health services in Phoenix, AZ, were a disaster. People were cheating on appointments and shortening veteran times to make themselves look better. The VA had a reputation of being the worst agency in the Federal government. Now, I don't take credit for it as chairman, but I will tell you what your committee members have done--members like Senator Tester and Senator Murray.…
