As you can see, there's tremendous interest in this subject and the need for extended hearings...

It is important that we examine the details of a national renewable portfolio standard.

I agree, and I think every person here understands that.

It is time we develop a strategy to implement the Veterans' Disability Commission's recommendations.

What I am trying to do is find some common ground where we do not lock ourselves into a budget that is computed based upon bad data which might have a bad outcome.

I agree with all of you that timely, predictable, sufficient budgets are absolutely essential.

They expect us to leave politics aside when we act on their behalf, and I am committed to work with the Chairman and all the Committee Members toward that end.

This is nothing new, and I hope all of us here today can get behind innovative approaches to fixing the system.

If I could borrow a sentiment from our former colleague who is now our Commander-in-Chief, the men and women who wear the uniform, the Nation's uniform, do not come from a collection of red and blue States but from the United States.

I do not believe there is a President that is going to propose, regardless of what party they come from, something they perceive to be less than needed.

Congress can, tomorrow, determine that we are going to do an advance budget for VA, and we have the power to do that.