Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I think that Republicans are going to -- anyone who would oppose this would have to answer to their constituencies as to why they think women aren't capable of doing their jobs.

I was pleased because I think it's a great step forward for our military and our nation. This opens up a whole new population of Americans who want to serve and who want to defend this nation who will now be able to do it in combat on jobs.

I was so pleased because I think it's a great step forward for our military and our nation. You know, this opens up a whole new population of Americans who want to serve and who want to defend this nation who now will be able to do it in…

I just want to make sure that we are not infringing on a Governor's right to control his or her forces.

So I hope to build on the bipartisan nature that you have started these hearings today with.

I think we have got to take some very real comprehensive steps to make sure that the men and women who served us are getting jobs and employment as they come home and are part of our economic recovery as well.

Ms. Duckworth "tweets" about pursuing a Ph.D. with her GI Bill benefits in a way to encourage other warriors to pursue and finish higher education.

I want to thank Senators Mark Begich and Sherrod Brown, who are cosponsors, and I look forward to working with you to get it through the Committee.

Our goal is to communicate frequently, sharing information on hot issues and meeting regularly to plan strategic communications with the Hill.

Tammy Duckworth was a big--I remember her testifying in the Senate way back when she first got back about her impression just of coming to the facility, the prosthetics department, and how, you know, dungeon-like things were there.

Friends of Tammy Duckworth

My position, should I be confirmed, will be to make sure that veterans know of all the options that are available to them.

We started the Illinois Warrior Assistance Program...to address the needs of veteran residents.

We will also be proactive in communicating with you and with our Veterans.

is not that why we are fighting this war, so that Americans can express their point of view and have freedom of speech?

If I am confirmed, I am going to make sure that we do not do that to the post-9/11 vets.

I am deeply honored and humbled that President Obama has given me this opportunity to serve our Nation's veterans.

My job, my position will be to make sure that we access community providers, that we enter into partnerships with nongovernmental organizations.

I hope to approach my job with openness, transparency, and just being always available to be asked questions.

Just as our Nation learned from our Vietnam veterans that we must love the warrior regardless of our personal stand on the war, we must also learn the lesson of how Department of Veterans Affairs lost contact with so many Vietnam veterans…

We must develop social networking strategies, non-traditional outlets such as blogs and use a wide variety of new media available to get the message of available benefits out to our veterans.

One of the greatest criticisms...was just tell me what I am asking so that I can go about the business of helping veterans.

I plan on approaching my job with the utmost level of transparency and accessibility.

The policymakers have failed us. We should focus on military resources on pursuing the terrorists who attacked our country and on capturing Osama bin Laden. Instead, President Bush and his top advisors decided to invade Iraq.