Mike Michaud

Where partnerships exist, they need to be strengthened. Where they don't, they need to be fostered.

With more of our servicemembers returning home each day, we cannot afford to let any opportunity to better support our veterans pass us by.

I think they should not be left behind.

This project alone can stop the bleeding of between $6 million and $10 million of taxpayer money, hard-earned taxpayer money, going out the door to support an empty building and a half-empty adjacent building.

This young committee chairman took on this issue, didn't stop. And this past week passed through the House of Representatives the Civilian Property Reform Act, H.R. 1734 this week that will make a difference.

At this time, I would like to yield 4 minutes to the gentlelady from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur).

Under rule XXII, clause 7(c), I hereby announce my intention to offer a motion to instruct on H.R. 3630, the conference report to extend the payroll tax, unemployment insurance, and SGR payments for doctors. The form of the motion is as…

What did VA officials know, and when did they know it?

My concern about the depth and duration of this illegal purchasing is serious enough that I have partnered with Chairman Issa of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee in requesting needed documents and information from VA to fix…

There is no excuse for VA management in this regard and there is no need to blame a GS5 position.

The VA admits that it did not follow all applicable laws and regulations for approximately $1.2 billion in what was called open market drug purchases since 2004.

Given such demonstrated need: Please provide the Committee with a detailed explanation of any joint efforts by both departments to collect data on suicides or to do a comprehensive study on suicides.

Suicide among veterans is an absolute crisis.

We have to do more, and we will continue to do that and we will work with them and get their input and their ideas.

We have high standards that we have set. And as you have said, we are not meeting our own standards.

We know that treatment works and that is extremely hopeful and is enough for us to keep going.

What can be done to improve outreach to servicemembers and veterans needing mental health care services, especially those veterans most at-risk?

We must reduce this fatal outcome.

Suicide among veterans is an absolute crisis.

Approximately 20 percent of these deaths were veterans, although they only make up 1 percent of our population.

We are making a difference. Those rates are going down.

Let's get Secretary Shinseki and Secretary Panetta here before this committee so we can start working towards one single understanding

We have to change the way we think about outreach to veterans.

If we don't know the entirety of the problem, how could we ever hope to solve it?

Today's hearing on suicide really couldn't have come at a more critical time.