Jeff Merkley: “I couldn't agree more with the words of my colleague from Ohio, Senator Sherrod Brown. It is unbelievable how long it…”

“I couldn't agree more with the words of my colleague from Ohio, Senator Sherrod Brown. It is unbelievable how long it took to do basic justice for our veterans serving us in some of the most difficult conditions in Iraq and Afghanistan to get their illnesses treated without them having to basically solicit legal help to connect that illness to their work. The fact that these 23 illnesses are now automatically covered for a veteran who served near a toxin is just a terrific step forward. And I am so pleased that we are making encouraging progress on veterans' housing. For our veterans to come back and be in the situation of facing the stress of return, the stress of reentering the workforce, and not have basic housing is unacceptable, and it is one of the ways we show that we are, in fact, a grateful nation for their service. Tribute to Jennifer ``J.P.'' Piorkowski Mr. President, I am pleased to be on the floor tonight to say thank you to one of my team members who has been part of my Senate team for 14 years and is now headed over to work with the Peace Corps, and I want to say a little bit about the critical role that she played in my office and on my team. When I first came here for orientation in 2009, I heard wise words, and that was that perhaps the most important person on your team is not your chief of staff, it is not your legislative director, it is not the head of your communications.…”