"You needed the boot in the butt to get you in it?"
"Only days after that hearing, a National Guard unit headquartered in Boone, North Carolina, returned home from Iraq. Within 18 months of their return, four of the unit's 175 soldiers had taken their o..."
"From the start of your association with VA or at any point while you exercised services from the VA, did you understand the full scope of benefits that were offered?"
"We must not forget our obligations to them, their families, and their survivors."
"The budget request includes a $13.4 billion supplemental appropriations, again, 2010, for the disability benefits of three new Agent Orange-related presumptions."
"Well, let me say you covered in depth with me personally what you intend to do to expedite the Agent Orange claims, and I agree with the strategy that you have undertaken."
"Well, my time has run out. I thank you for reminding us of the things we are not typically focused on up here which VA does day in and day out and does it pretty damn well."
"This lack of response should not be acceptable to the Veterans' Affairs Committee."
"We have got to prioritize the money our taxpayers entrust us with so that veterans and their families will have the benefits and services they need and they earned."
"I hope you would agree with me that if you were in theater and you saw a trend line that alarmed you, it would be something you would take very seriously."
"We must have a VA health and benefits system that meets their needs, is responsive to their expectations, and appropriately expresses the gratitude of the Nation for their tremendous sacrifice."