Beto O'Rourke

I have been told by DHS categorically as recently as last month that there is no evidence, nor has there ever been, of terrorists entering the United States from--through the Southern Border.

I just hope that for my colleagues that weighs in the balance as we make decisions about sending servicemembers into combat roles again.

I believe we are going to formalize that War to include Syria from the President's announcement tonight.

You will still be part of this organization at the very highest level continuing that very aggressive, ambitious push towards excellence and accountability.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Perhaps the VA cannot be everything to all veterans and maybe we should focus on centers of excellence.

As of last month, we had 19 and a half vacancies in mental health care in El Paso.

I would love for you right now to say, Beto, I am going to help you with a full-service veterans' hospital.

You have been incredibly responsive. You have been transparent.

As I yield back, I would just ask that you give us an opportunity to meet with you to see what we can do, given this change, to capitalize on some of the opportunities to enhance the flow of legitimate trade and travel.

Thank you for bringing us all together on this very, very important issue.

You can have the greatest capital projects plan and implementation in the world, but if you can't staff them you have really got a problem.

One out of every four jobs in the El Paso economy is connected to trade and travel across our bridge.

Lastly, let me say that this country is a country of laws and people.

I think it is important that in the hearing that Chairman McCaul and I co-chaired, we both affirm the need for the introduction on the floor of the House and the passage out of the House of H.R. 1417, a bill that Chairwoman and I have…

I think we are experiencing a shift in strategic eras.

Trying to get medical records, trying to see somebody, trying to frankly be treated with the dignity and respect that their sons had earned.

For Commissioner Wagner, in fiscal year 2015 I believe El Paso and Buffalo have been selected for another pilot program...

But no laws need to be changed to deny children due process, as has been suggested by the HUMANE Act.

We may be shifting to a new strategic era.

Perhaps the VHA should become a center of excellence for War-related injuries, both mental and physical.

But from everything that we're led to believe, things are moving in the right direction and at a pretty good clip.

To Secretary Hickey, I want to thank you for the progress you're making across the board and specifically at the Waco Regional Office in Texas, which serves the veterans that I represent in El Paso.

We've seen wait times for first-time service-connected disability claims. You know, we're at 470, moving much closer to our ultimate goal of 125.

I first want to join all my colleagues in thanking you all for your service.