The importance of this hearing cannot be underestimated.

I am proud to be working with Mr. Denham, who is the author of H.R. 2903, which is the FEMA Reauthorization Act.

As a Californian, he knows the importance to plan and prepare for disasters, and he has held a number of these hearings focusing on improving emergency preparedness.

I want to thank my colleague, Chairman Denham, for holding this important hearing, and also his great work that he has done as the subcommittee chairman.

As chairman of the subcommittee with jurisdiction over FEMA and emergency management, I have held a number of hearings focusing on improving our emergency management capability.

He is leading the fight--I think everybody by now has seen what is going on at the GSA, and it is Jeff Denham who is the guy leading the charge, trying to push back on that waste and abuse that is occurring at the GSA.

I want to thank everyone for attending this very important hearing.

I also would like to thank the chairwoman for her persistence in holding the Department accountable on issues such as prosthetics.

Workers must have at least the same legal protections as are currently afforded to corporate products.

Our policy that is this is a veteran's choice.

I remain committed to working with the very dedicated staff at the Department of Veterans Affairs and the advocacy community to assure that our veterans are getting the best care that we can deliver in a timely way.