Tom Udall

Absolutely, absolutely unacceptable.

However, more veterans are unhappy with the decisions on their claims, which has led to more appeals.

The VA's budget justification specifically supports research into exposure to airborne particulate matter from burn pits.

We want to improve the oversight of how we spend over $80 billion annually on information technology across the Federal Government.

Our veterans have earned the best care we can provide, the appointment scandal showed a disturbing disregard for health and safety of our heroes.

I think it's important we move forward, so we make sure that we have a good, long-term relationship between the Air Force and the White Sand's National Monument.

The military's ability to meet future global challenges is directly tied to its facilities.

Years of reduced MILCON budgets and deferred maintenance have resulted in facilities and infrastructure that may not be adequate.

I fully respect the fact that you took this assignment, Mr. Secretary, at a difficult time during great publicity around a serious scandal.

I look forward to an update on this research as it moves forward on how we can ensure veterans get the treatment they need for such exposure.

We are going to have to keep that up to regain and maintain the trust of America's veterans, and I know that you all are committed to that.

We called for OMB to publish a top 10 list for the highest priority IT investments across the government.

I am happy to see that the Albuquerque VA has made significant progress, the percentage of backlog claims from around 60 percent in 2013 to 20 percent just last month.

But it is also one of the most frustrating. As I have said here before, the majority of veterans are satisfied with the care they receive from the VA when and if they can get it.

Thank you very much, and thank you for your courtesies, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you very much for that initiative, because I have many communities in my State that I think need that kind of initiative and kind of push that you are making there.

They have made steady progress on economic development in recent years, but they really needed a boost.

The unemployment rate there is totally unacceptable. It is near 50 percent.

I could not think of a better person to be Secretary of Agriculture because you served as Governor from a rural State.

The Gila River is the crown jewel of the Southwest and one of the last remaining free-flowing rivers in the United States.

I cannot see any White House Office of Management and Budget clearing a new billion-dollar Federal water supply project with such limited potential.

This project simply does not add up.

Thank you both for working with the Albuquerque District to fund some important New Mexico projects over the last few years.

I'm very pleased that this subcommittee was able to provide an 85 percent increase for Indian school construction and improvements in the 2016 omnibus.

I believe we won't get there unless we develop some kind of 'Marshall Plan' for Native youth that fully funds infrastructure needs.