I am. And I don't deny and I think there is validity in this because the issue is it is not the false choice of privatization versus VA itself; it is a hybrid model of this.

There is an ideological belief and it is my belief right now that is dominating, certainly coming out of the White House that the idea is that we can go totally to the private sector care, no need for the VA.

the best care they get is from the VA. It might be hard to get it. They might have to wait a while, but they get excellent care at the VA.

I want to be very clear that thanks to you and to this committee, fair and appropriate appropriations that let us try and tackle the things that we are obligated to do have been unprecedented.

But the understanding is if this money is cycled away, it drains off and will kill the VA as that institution.

You have served veterans well. You have always been there in a bipartisan way.

Nobody in the veterans community is saying that. Nobody wants it.

It is critical that our understanding from the budget agreement be upheld.

Opening Statement of Walz, Hon. Tim

Our job is to provide quality care that was promised and must be delivered to our veterans.

I want to hear--I am interested to hear the rationale behind this move, because it is my understanding that the law dictates that there be a separate account.

The appropriations have continued to increase for our warriors at a time of war.