Tim Walz

We have been able to get out of the simplistic arguments of privatization versus non-privatization and get to the delivery of services for veterans in the most efficient, cost-effective way.

These are not easy. Everybody says, well, it is easy in the VA Committee, everybody agrees on that.

I am humbled and appreciative of the work this Committee has done, but I am also very cognizant we have failed in areas.

We can't see veterans as a whole, certainly veterans' mental health or health care in a vacuum.

We have to preserve and expand resources to homeless vets, including HUD-VASH vouchers which provide crucial support of housing.

If he not met so many obstacles, would my son be alive today?

We are all troubled by the idea that our servicemen and women might return home from battle, survive battle, only to take their own lives.

We can never stop talking about it in trying to find out which areas are working and leave the egos at the door.

That is why congressional oversight is the absolute key, putting policies in place that extend beyond individuals and making sure the oversight to implement them is a priority.

Veteran suicide has been elevated to the top priority of this Committee for years, both by Democrats and Republicans; there is no space between us in saving the lives of heroes.

Secretary Wilkie implying in his testimony yesterday before the Senate that our constitutional right to oversight is a burden on his ability to implement the VA MISSION Act signals a very dangerous misunderstanding of the role of Congress…

The tragic epidemic of veteran suicide is one of the most serious challenges facing our country.

I want you to guarantee me the IG will immediately have access to that Office of Accountability Whistleblower Protection database and any other information it needs to audit that program today.

I know no one intends to fail, but I have seen it.

I would certainly encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this important piece of legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Again, I want to thank the gentleman from Ohio and the gentlewoman from California for addressing this. It is a smart move to do this, continuing to keep our focus. While our numbers are improving in areas, we know this is a zero-sum…

This is a good piece of legislation. I am grateful for the gentleman bringing it up. I encourage its passage, and I yield back the balance of my time.

This is a good piece of legislation. I thank the gentleman for bringing it up. The taxpayers understand that this is exactly what we are supposed to be doing. I encourage a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

This is a good piece of legislation, I support its passage, and I yield back the balance of my time.

May I inquire of the gentleman whether he has any further speakers.

I thank the gentleman from Florida for his great work on this. I encourage its passage. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

I thank the gentleman's commitment to this issue. I appreciate the work that has been spent to continue to evolve to get this right, because I do think there is, obviously, no disagreement in the scourge and the horrific crimes committed…

Again, I too, would like to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Representative Smucker, and Representative Emmer for their tireless work for care of veterans not just in Minnesota, but across the country. I also thank the gentleman from…

I thank the gentleman from Texas for bringing inspiration to everybody in this body and across the country. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano), the vice ranking member of the House Committee on…

I think maybe this all comes together on what is possible, and Mr. Fortenberry was at the heart and the nexus of a very new way of delivering veterans care.