Dan Benishek

What can we do, Mr. Rice, because you and I have talked in the past about the difficulties in getting providers.

We've stopped believing most of the things VA says. Because their actions, haven't--you've fouled up from what you're saying.

You've got to be out there, hearing for yourself what's actually going on, because sometimes the leadership gets a different view.

I'm sure the communities would just be more than happy to be able to have a town hall meeting.

Is there a registry for people who have been subject to these burn pits that were present in the Gulf War?

I was hoping I could get your commitment today to try to make that happen better.

There needs to be some consistency across the board.

I think that's a step in the direction--the right direction.

It's been very frustrating to me to hear the people from the VA say, 'yes, well, we understand and we're working on it.'

I just want to touch on one of the things that was brought up in the previous panel again.

You would agree it would be better if the VA had a central plan to hire physicians nation-wide to get a pipeline of people in the system?

I'm concerned about this piece of legislation that we passed is supposed to be able to give an access card to veterans from this area basically.

Why aren't we doing more of this care here now?

This is a pretty huge issue. I'm surprised that there's not more local care being done.

This law is not perfect, and the problems at VA will not be solved overnight; however, this bill for the first time will allow veterans suffering long waiting times for care the option to be seen by local doctors.

I was honored to be joined by my colleagues in the House and the Senate from both sides of the aisle in a conference committee that just a few weeks ago created a bipartisan agreement.

As a result of VA's incompetence, thousands of veterans, including some right here in Michigan, were left waiting for weeks, months, and even years to receive the care they needed.

It is no secret that the VA is in crisis and has fallen far short of providing the care and services that our veterans have earned, deserve and should expect.

Our veterans fought for our freedom. They shouldn't have to fight bureaucrats when they return home.

The distances we have to travel to get to a VA hospital for an appointment are a problem.

I would like to thank Congressman Benishek and everyone involved in the efforts to improve our present VA care system.

Absolutely. I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Benishek). The amendment was agreed to. Amendment Offered by Mr. Kildee

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment. The Clerk read as follows: Page 9, line 6, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced by $2,000,000)''. Page 33, line 11, after the dollar amount…

Once again, I encourage all Members to support H.R. 2072, as amended, the Demanding Accountability for Veterans Act, and, in turn, to support our veteran heroes. With that, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr…

Five years seems like a really long time.