Tim Walz

Most Reserve Component members believe they are veterans after serving their country, especially for 20 years or more.

This is a very emotional issue. There are some of these that rise to the top.

I think as Mr. Garver said and many of us have recognized is we and our job on this side of the table is to be conscious of the societal changes and things that happened.

I think Mr. McNerney was getting at it. I think he is right that you, and rightfully so.

I want to just say I very much, the counsel and the input of VA is a very strong, it very strong weighs on us as we craft this legislation.

I am always so proud of this Committee of serving on it, I feel like it is the way democracy should work.

EANGUS is truly indebted to Congressman Tim Walz, a retired Command Sergeant Major with 24 years of service in the National Guard, for championing this issue.

Thank you, Mr. Walz, for your advocacy on this issue.

This piece of legislation does not add any benefits, it scored at a zero cost, but I would argue that not doing so the cost to our Nation is to not honor that service the way we should.

I would like to take a minute to commend both you and the Ranking Member, as well as the Majority and Minority staff for what I consider to be a great work ethic in this Subcommittee.

I think you have the best interest of our veterans in mind, nonetheless I have concerns that its provisions may be duplicative or run counter to the law on testing certification and training.

Our Nation's veterans have sacrificed so much that we need to protect them from those kind of bad actors looking to take advantage of the benefits that they have earned and deserve.

I think this is a worthwhile bill, it is on track from a policy perspective, and I look forward to advancing this to the full Committee.

I support this bill but understand the reservations concerning moving the envelope on what type of service accords veteran status.

I am deeply concerned with the zeroing out of this program at a time when America's security is dependent on us becoming energy independent.

Again, I appreciate the gentleman from Indiana's work on this. I think we made a good piece of legislation even better, and that's a good thing. That's a good charge for us.

We are certainly proud of this piece of legislation, Madam Speaker, and we are in full support of it. I would like to thank the gentleman from New York for his unflinching and unwavering work to get this done for all the right reasons. I…

I would like to also thank the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey, the chairman of the subcommittee. Thank you for your work on this. You're absolutely right. This is one that's supported; it is the work for our veterans. Together…

I support a five year discretionary spending freeze that will reduce the overall cost of government relative to the economy.

I believe strongly that addressing the deficit requires us to make smart but significant cuts to spending.

Our current fiscal policy is unsustainable. The simple fact of the matter is that we are currently spending far more than we are bringing in.

During the last Congress, we proved that it is possible to undertake significant entitlement reform without undermining bedrock benefits upon which the American people rely, eliminating $500 billion in wasteful spending while shoring up…

This will have to include the Pentagon's budget, the largest agency in the federal government.

The Ninth Amendment: ``The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.''

We are grateful to the Members of Congress who signed onto a letter circulated by Congressmen Tim Walz and Steve King.