It is important to show that those who are suffering from the effects of toxic inhalations that we care for them.

We believe this bill is well intentioned and that it seeks to address a clear and significant problem within VA.

This wilderness designation will achieve two important objectives. First, it will increase the marketability of this area to tourists and give a boost to the local economy.

No one, repeat no one who has served this Nation in uniform should ever have to be living on the streets.

I think they should not be left behind.

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.

The ability to augment VA services by linking VA with established community and faith-based organizations represents an opportunity to greatly increase access to a variety of services needed for veterans with disabilities.

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.

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.

I am hoping today we will see a rare bipartisan moment here in the House when both sides can come together in support of our veterans. The final amendment I'm offering here today will exempt certain VA facilities from the decommissioning…

I demand a recorded vote. A recorded vote was ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 and clause 9 of rule XX, this 15-minute vote on the motion to recommit will be followed by 5-minute votes on passage of H.R. 1734, if…

I have a motion to recommit at the desk. The SPEAKER. Is the gentleman opposed to the bill?

I am in its current form. The SPEAKER. The Clerk will report the motion to recommit. The Clerk read as follows: Mr. Michaud moves to recommit the bill H.R. 1734 to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure with instructions to…

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

I agree with part of the comments that the gentleman made. People do not want to sit home and collect a paycheck. They want to go to work. Some people definitely have to be trained for jobs. There is nothing in my motion that prevents…

The reason why I offered this motion is to protect unemployment insurance for the millions of jobless Americans that qualify for it. At the end of the last session, the House considered H.R. 3630, a bill that would extend the payroll tax…

I have a motion to instruct conferees at the desk. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the motion. The Clerk read as follows: Mr. Michaud moves that the managers on the part of the House at the conference on the disagreeing…

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

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…

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.

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…

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

It is my honor today to welcome Reverend Kate Braestrup to the House of Representatives. In 1996, Kate's husband, Maine State Police Trooper James ``Drew'' Griffith, was tragically killed in a car accident while on duty. At the time of his…

I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a cosponsor and a strong supporter of this bill. The spread of synthetic drugs like bath salts has quickly reached crisis levels in many communities throughout our country…