We must work together to achieve a claims system that lives up to the service and the sacrifices of our veterans.

I am very close to completing a book that describes what I believe to be the largest disenfranchisement of American military personnel in the history of this country.

Or, will you be on the side of moral justice - the side that advocates for complete truth and transparency, no matter its cost?

The disenfranchisement of the over 250,000 men and women who carried out one of the most effective military operations in our country's history is a tragedy of the highest order.

Will you choose the side that the vast majority of our Colonels, Generals, and the Politicians who presided over the Persian Gulf War have chosen?

I think a society, quite frankly, can be measured in large part by how you treat the vulnerable amongst us.

In a tight fiscal environment, among many competing priorities, veterans must remain one of our highest priorities.

I respectfully request that you support our proposed budget level so that we can play our critical role and essential role in supporting those who have served this great Nation of ours.

If we had a national transportation policy, the utilization of our fuel resources would be given much more credibility than it is today.

I have reduced staff salary already this year in anticipation of a freeze or a cut on our staff side.

I respectfully request that you support our proposed budget level so that we can play our critical role...

I think it is important that we do not try to mix those questions, issues, because it is being paid for and it allows the States to decide.

So, I personally believe and agree with many people on this committee, that we are on the verge of a rail renaissance.

You have no greater mutual responsibility to those who have served and to those who serve than to ensure a complete and smooth transition from military back to civilian life.

We, as a Nation, have a 'sacred trust' to care for those who have served and sacrificed.

What's so amazing is that it is, and I have heard the same thing from not only VA employees but also the private sector, that it is the best system. So I cannot fathom why Department of Defense will not move to that particular system.

We as a Nation have a 'sacred trust' to care for those who have served and sacrificed.

I am concerned that this new approach is a step backwards toward the model that had been previously tried and failed, namely, maintaining two different systems between two departments and wishfully thinking that the two systems will…

You must come together seamlessly or veterans fall through the space between you.

The Integrated Electronic Health Records initiative is critical to ushering in a more fluid process for our servicemen and women who transition into the veteran world.

Key to that smooth transition is the transfer of the health records that document the physical and mental sacrifices of our Nation's heroes.

I want to thank you for your dedication, your commitment, and your willingness to keep this issue before the Full Committee.

We, as a Nation, have a responsibility - a sacred trust - to care for those whom we send into harm's way.

I think the VA has been operating on the notion that they have to do it all.

I really appreciate it. You stated in your testimony that serving veterans is a shared responsibility with state and the Federal government.