Tim Walz

Every time we say it is not privatization, it is the exercise in don't think of a draft, that is exactly what they are thinking about.

I think getting veterans engaged in this, making sure they are very clear about what this is and where these intersect is absolutely critical.

I am hopeful that you guys can get this together.

We need to get it in one pot. We can then find out what the needs are and appropriate the money for it.

Keep us apprised of redlines.

For those veterans that will be watching and following this closely, they expect nothing less of us; they expect nothing less than bipartisanship aimed at common values and outcomes, and for that I am grateful.

I asked them in a room of about 100 veterans and family, how many have used Choice, about 30; how many had successful experiences, two.

A lot of those failures were complexity.

I serve as the Senior Vice President of Government Relations at the American Health Care Association (AHCA).

Not every four-letter word has four letters, and the United States Senate is one of those places.

We can't move our veterans population around by telling them to move to Joint Base Lewis-McChord because we are closing something else.

Ranking Member Walz and I are working together on this draft of the AIR Act.

I think this is our opportunity to think really big.

We must then figure out, using evidence-based decision-making, put together plans.

It is not just lip service, that this Committee is proving that there is no place on Capitol Hill... where the true spirit of working together... is actually happening.

We can no longer kick this can down the road, Coach, because time is not on our side in this battle.

Being bipartisan doesn't mean agreeing on everything. But it does... having the common goal.

I want to thank the gentleman from Louisiana for his support and work on the committee. Once again, the old saying is you shouldn't get a pat on the back for what you are supposed to do; but around here, it is harder than you might think…

I thank the gentleman from Florida for his strong words, for his commitment and service to this country, and I appreciate his support on this piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr…

I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time and, more importantly, for his eloquent words. I appreciate the support both for The American Legion and for this piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, thank you for bringing the bill to the…

It is my pleasure to yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Kuster), the author of this piece of legislation, the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

As you heard, I urge my colleagues to support this smart piece of legislation. But I would like to close by adding, also, a thank-you to the chairman and to the majority side, once again showing bipartisanship offering two bills introduced…

I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close at this time. Mr. Speaker, again, commonsense bill, bipartisan, does the right thing, and, as the gentleman so clearly explained, providing that trust to our veterans is absolutely…

I urge support of this piece of legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I urge passage of this good piece of legislation that is doing the right thing, and I yield back the balance of my time.