a consistent theme emerged from these accounts: the VA does not hold those who retaliate against whistleblowers accountable for their actions and continues to fail to combat the culture of corruption and intimidation within the VA.

Accountability for illegal retaliation has been missing in other pending VA legislation.

the ranking member and I have a package of amendments that have been cleared by both sides. I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate resumes consideration of H.R. 2029, the following amendments be called up, reported by number, and the…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Unanimous Consent Agreement--H.R. 2029

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from Connecticut…

the ranking member and I have a small package of amendments that have been cleared by both sides. I ask unanimous consent that the following amendments be called up, reported by number, and the Senate vote on the amendments en bloc…

I come to the floor to urge support by the Senate for the 2016 MILCON-VA appropriations bill. Last year this bill's funding for our veterans was $65 billion and it is now $71.2 billion. That is a $6.2 billion increase over last year. The…

We would not have a country without our veterans.

What can you do?'' they ask. I want the American public to contemplate that question for a moment and then consider an alternative perspective and perceive it as, ``What should I do?''

The Government has failed in its sacred responsibility to care for our veterans.

It is totally demoralizing for us to hear all of this about our own VA taking care of the best of the best.

Chairman Kirk's VA Patient Protection Act will demand accountability for those who retaliate against truth-tellers.

If people are manipulating the wait times, then somebody in crisis could make that decision and you could have avoided it.

You have also shown me that it is possible for a Republican and a Democrat, who is also a union leader, that we can work together.

Dedicated nurses and doctors reporting poor treatment of our vets should be heard and not silenced.

This important piece has been missing in other pending VA legislation but is one of the strongest aspects of Chairman Kirk's VA Patient Protection Act.

It is a pretty alarming rising there.

There can be no saving of an agency as large as the VA if the employees operate from a constant position of fear rather than conviction and collaboration.

Congress should enact legislation, like Chairman Kirk's VA Patient Protection Act, to increase protections for VA whistleblowers.

I do want to thank my ranking minority member, Senator Tester of Montana, for working so well with me in a bipartisan manner.

We greatly appreciate Chairman Kirk's continued support and applaud his commitment fixing these issues at the VA.

I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment is as follows: (Purpose: To clarify the term ``congressional defense committees'') At…

I call up my first-degree amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The bill clerk read as follows: The Senator from Illinois [Mr. Kirk] proposes an amendment numbered 2764 to amendment No. 2763.

I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. (The amendment is printed in today's Record under ``Text of Amendments.'') Amendment No. 2764 to…

I call up my substitute amendment, a bipartisan bill for VA-MILCON. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The bill clerk read as follows: The Senator from Illinois [Mr. Kirk] proposes an amendment numbered 2763.