I think it has become obvious in the short time of this new Congress that this Committee is committed to tackling the big issues.

if a veteran tells me it works for him, then let's use it.

Our neighborhoods, we are not going to tear down and rebuild our neighborhoods in more communal ways, but our largest community is the Nation and that we can do something about.

Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I want to thank you for your leadership in this.

veterans are not victims. I heard each of you say that, we are not victims, nor are we damaged.

Congress's intent was clear yesterday, and I believe what was a unanimous vote did not round-down those benefits.

It feels a little bit like me looking at a house that is on fire and saying, well, the drapes are nice in it.

You have done nothing but come to this Committee since your time here with solution based problem solving in an honorable way.

I am going to segue onto that. Keep in mind, and again, we need to talk candidly amongst ourselves when we look at voc rehab being cut 4.5, we see medical research being cut, but we see care in the community without a plan being there…

the budget fails to account for the demand on VA care when they are shifted over from other agencies and other programs.

But they can stay at a later date. What I am saying is if we plussed up the VA side and it was equal access to what they are getting on the outside, would they choose the VA over the outside if access times were equal?