Dan Benishek

I am just concerned that there is a political part to the fast-tracking of favorite projects by someone in the Department versus another issue.

But, I mean, amongst all the mining countries, we are apparently very slow in our process.

I am eager to discuss each of these proposals in-depth to ensure a thorough understanding of their purpose, intended benefits, and unintended consequences.

I think you explained that we need a little more research in this department.

I realize that amount seems very small considering the number of veterans that are coming home with the problem.

I think the VA contends that they have a peer review process for determining how to fund research.

This is a common-sense veteran-centric bill that will free many veterans from financial turmoil.

The Subcommittee will come to order.

IAVA believes that all veterans must have access to quality health care and related services.

On behalf of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), I would like to extend our gratitude for being given the opportunity to share with you our views and recommendations regarding these important pieces of legislation.

I truly appreciate everyone being here and your comments today.

I feel a little bit distraught when you say it is simply a technical----

I appreciate your comment and the fact that sometimes there is not anyone responsible.

We need to have that better defined and I am trying to fix that.

I hate when you come up here and you say to me there is no one who is responsible.

I think that identifying the person in charge of that program is important because when we have these people before us, it is never the actual person that was in charge that actually appears here.

I just do not like the fact that people, managers of a project, that do not respond to an IG report for over a year.

I am trying to figure out how to get the VA to get some things done that do not seem to be getting done.

I do not want to have any, you know, let me put it that way, that I want to have some strict definitions of what is going on there so that we can actually hold people accountable and not slip out, if you understand what I mean.

I understand what you are thinking, but I am trying to find the best way to do this too. How do we hold the VA accountable? How do we get people to actually produce?

Shouldn't we have those IG reports have some teeth to them?

I cannot imagine how we could get people to do what they are supposed to do at the VA.

Well, I certainly appreciate your time this morning, gentlemen. I am looking forward to working with you on this legislation moving forward.

Care delayed is care denied.

Such inaction is intolerable where the care and services provided to our veterans is concerned.