Tim Walz

I do not oppose this amendment. It is smart. I have seen how important employee exit surveys can be in facilitating and understanding how an organization can be improved, made more efficient, or take constructive criticism. It makes…

We must enable the VA to recruit and retain the most capable people to serve our Nation's veterans. We also know that one size does not fit all when considering an applicant's background and experience. If an individual has gained valuable…

I claim the time in opposition, even though I am not opposed to the amendment. The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from Minnesota is recognized for 5 minutes. There was no objection.

Every Member of Congress has heard directly from their constituents who receive health care from the VA that it is understaffed. This is true at all levels, but it is vital to both the workforce and the veterans served that each medical…

As mentioned last night during general debate on the underlying bill, the VA has experienced a shortage of medical providers. This shortage impacts not only a veteran's access to care, but also the quality of care a veteran may receive…

Again, we are not going to find a lot of disagreement. I will tell you what a good first step would be: hire some surgeons. There are openings there. This is our first salvo at trying to fix the VA. We have an appeals bill that every…

The choice is not as easy as that. Do you want to stand with Robert, the good employee who was fired by a bad manager who used the process to get their job back, or do we want to just hurry it? It is better to get it right than get it…

I am glad we got an opportunity to debate this, which is what we should do. There is no disagreement that we need to hold folks accountable. We need to get the best people at the VA. We need to commit to improving the VA the best we can…

This amendment is just a simple technical correction. It does not change my concerns with the underlying bill on H.R. 1259, but I am not opposed to the technical corrections. I yield back the balance of my time.

May I inquire how much time I have remaining? The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Minnesota has 1 minute remaining.

I thank the gentleman for bringing this forward. This amendment addresses an issue that we dealt with in our committee last Congress, where senior executives are transferred to different positions around the country, receive pay increases…

I claim time in opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment and, in fact, I am enthusiastically supportive of the amendment. The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from Minnesota is recognized for 5 minutes. There…

After the gentleman finishes with his speakers, I will close. I reserve the balance of my time.

I would say that I am pleased that the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) is going to use the Oversight and Government Reform Committee to provide oversight of this administration. I welcome it. I have some suggestions for some other…

I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Minnesota will be postponed. The Chair understands that amendment No. 3 will not be offered…

I thank Chairman Roe of Tennessee and Chairman Sessions of the Rules Committee for making this amendment in order. I have voiced my concern with the regular order. I think it is important to note that we are given the opportunity here to…

I can't thank the gentleman enough--smart legislation combining many good ideas, willingness to incorporate those best practices, and then, I think, forcing VA to start moving in that direction. This is an example, I think, of where the VA…

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Strike section 3 and insert the following new section 3: SEC. 3. IMPROVED AUTHORITIES OF SECRETARY OF…

Before I reserve the balance of my time, I would like to point out to the gentleman from Florida that he has a podiatrist right here in Dr. Wenstrup, so we can just solve the problem as we stand. I reserve the balance of my time.

Once again, I am not only not opposed, I am enthusiastically supportive of the gentlewoman's commonsense, absolutely important piece of legislation. It improves upon the bill. I am glad we had a rule that brought it here, something we have…

Before I yield to the gentleman from Florida, I would like to point out, as a new Member bringing new vitality and new blood to this, how encouraging it is, both to me and, I would hope, to his constituents. Seeking out ways to serve…

This is not the Veterans First Act. It is pieces from the Veterans First Act, but changes.

I have no further speakers and will be prepared to close after the gentleman is done. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

May I inquire how much time I have remaining? The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Poe of Texas). The gentleman from Minnesota has 10 minutes remaining.

I urge my colleagues to join us in passing this important piece of legislation. When those veterans in American Samoa see Eni's name, it will strike them about what he has done and the work that he did here in Congress. I would also like…