Beto O'Rourke

It is really hard to hire into a poorly performing medical center that doesn't have a coach.

I mean, you know, is that who we are trying to attract here?

You need an act of Congress?

I think the bottom line for me, and I would argue for us, as Members of this Committee and Members of the U.S. Congress, is to ensure the highest quality and timeliness in the care and services that we deliver to the veterans who have…

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to make sure that we are being accurate with the words that we are using.

I think the ranking member used the word 'fantasy,' that we are going to be able to pay for and meet all the commitments that we have identified.

If official time improves our ability to do that, then we should have official time. If it detracts from our ability to do that, we should not have official time.

I think we need the data and the facts to make informed decisions in every one of these areas.

I see the value in official time. I see the value in a hundred percent official time...

Our ability to conduct oversight on what you have implemented before the next Congress kicks in is gone.

I appreciate you, from the VA, underscoring the importance.

I join Mr. Banks, Mr. Jones, and others and the two of you who have called for a new AUMF.

I would like to begin by recognizing the incredibly important work of my colleague from Ohio (Mr. Wenstrup) in ensuring that we bring more physicians and care providers into the VA so that more veterans can get access to quality, timely…

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Add at the end the following new section: SEC. 14. RECRUITMENT OF PHYSICIANS IN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS…

I want to again thank my friend from Texas for joining me tonight on the floor of the House for his words, and for taking the chance in driving across much of the country with me to get here and making sure that we could fulfill our…

I will conclude by joining the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hurd) in thanking the teams that made this possible in our office, led by David Wysong, my chief of staff; John Meza, who manned the communications; Samantha Stiles, chief of…

Our journey began after picking up the car at the rental lot at 5:00 a.m. with a breakfast at Mi Tierra cafe in San Antonio where we were presented by the staff there with this pinata, which became our mascot along the way. So, Mr…

It is great to be here tonight. I just traveled with my good friend, close colleague, and fellow Texan--and your fellow Texan--Will Hurd, who started with me in San Antonio, Texas, yesterday at 7 a.m., San Antonio time, where we, because…

It is my pleasure today to present to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health H.R. 1506 -VA Health Care Provider Education Debt Relief Act of 2017.

I think when we are talking about wait times and we were reminded about the wait time manipulation scandal, we need to know real wait times and we need to hold you accountable for that.

I think the most serious crisis facing veterans in this country today and for this Committee is veteran suicide, which you now estimate is 20 a day.

I want to thank you for the decision that you have made in not waiting for Congress to force the Administration to do it and showing the leadership in getting that done.

I'm grateful to hear from almost every Member of this Committee their assurance that they are not opposed to union representation at the VA.

I came to Congress, as I think most of my colleagues did, to make a difference, to root out the real problems facing our country, find real solutions.

Mr. O'Rourke. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.