First, I thank the members of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee and our new leader, Mark Takano. Time and again, this committee proves that Congress can work across the aisle to pass commonsense policy to improve the lives of our…

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Kuster). The amendment was agreed to. Amendment…

I thank the gentleman from Tennessee for his kind words. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano).

Help me understand how those children's rights are being protected.

What could this committee, what could we in Congress be doing differently?

I would far rather have those children in a loving home with a parent, a grandparent, someone who will care for them, than to have them separated and placed in an agency.

So how could we change? Could we have social workers at that initial moment to sort this out?

Can you promise me that there's no agency across this country where ORR has placed a child that has somehow slipped into a State court?

The consequences of separation of children from their parents will be lifelong.

Does that program have functional capacity at all the VSNs around the country as well?

What are you going to do about getting the right people in the right place?

I think certainly my constituents, but I think constituents across this country were so shocked and concerned to read today about this issue that your Department had only spent 1 percent of the $6 million for suicide prevention.