Beto O'Rourke

I think we need to do more than just ensuring that they have information.

I understand the incredulity of you can't change a letter quickly, but, again, the letters that go out are integrated and part of essentially the automated code.

Good afternoon, everyone.

I just wanted to publicly acknowledge your service and thank you for working with us this year.

And maybe there is someone out there in the private sector or in the volunteer community who would be willing to take a look at this code and offer their expertise if we are so taxed in being able to change this.

I think all of us want to make sure that the Forever GI Bill is implemented successfully...

Thank you for helping to hold the hearing today and thank you all for testifying and for answering all our questions.

I have a number of questions, but I don't know that I understand the answer yet to Mr. Bilirakis' question on this 15-year time limit.

I think if we are able to follow this very good recommendation, I think it has to be tied to some measure of outcomes.

We are, God-willing, all going to be here a year from today, still in these same positions.

I want to make sure that we are fully measuring outcomes here as well, and you suggested that we should have greater scrutiny and higher expectations for the educational institutions that are participating.

What we know is student veterans are winners and, when given the right tools to succeed, they do every single time.

I thank the gentleman for yielding. Like so many Texans, I grew up in a household that honored a tradition of gun ownership for hunting, for collection, and for sportsmanship, and also honored gun safety. I was taught to shoot by my uncle…

The tax bill that this Chamber voted on 2 weeks ago was bad enough, added $1.5 trillion to the debt, 36 million middle class households will see their taxes go up, and 50 percent of those tax cuts would go to the wealthiest 1 percent in…

While the people of Texas generally distinguish themselves by how friendly they are, I think the people here in Lubbock really take the cake.

I love what you just said, Colonel, about not seeing veterans as broken or a problem or victims...

I think there needs to be an intentional timeframe where they can start making that transition.

I think we also need to talk more about support groups that are out there.

I think there is a broader view than just the courses themselves.

So right there you have saved three years.

We have introduced a bill that I know will become law that will allow for our rural veterans to access the capital for home ownership.

I think that makes a ton of sense. Today we were at the Grace campus, which is a homeless area in Lubbock with some extraordinary volunteers and support group who are trying to help those homeless members of the community transition into…

We clearly are not getting the job done in ensuring that we have a successful transition from service and Active duty to civilian life.

I think it would be beneficial for the TAP course to be specific to the location, what state specifically they are going to be moving to, and what resources and opportunities are available in that state.

I want to congratulate Chairman Arrington on his leadership so far... that bill passed 435 to zero, which is a rare feat.