Beto O'Rourke

I think we need to hear from them. And add to Mr. McClain's excellent suggestion of having a management organization identify structural and organizational weakness.

Okay. And I have got limited time, but the reason then that I am showing 48 days army-wide versus 30 days which is what you are saying is that you still have those older cases in the system and as soon as they move out, you will be at that…

Let me see if I can understand this because this is a difficult concept for me to get and it is similar to the way that you explained to us the backlog numbers when it comes to disability claims for veterans and how we should be measuring…

But, Mr. Chair, earlier I had the privilege of introducing Ms. Gipson who will be testifying in a later panel.

I think it is very important for us if nothing else to learn from his specific case and ensure that it is not repeated.

I am now resolved, as I know the rest of this committee is, in insuring that we correct the mistakes that were made in your individual case and the larger systemic problems that today's hearing has uncovered.

This does not build confidence in you and what you are doing and what our veterans can expect.

I think this discussion today is happening within the larger context of the American publics' and Congress' frustration with lack of accountability within the VA.

I will say that we have cosponsors that include the chairman of this committee, the ranking member of this committee, Mr. Walz, Mr. Takano, members from both parties, we would welcome additional support.

I have heard this directly from servicemembers at the WTU at Fort Bliss in El Paso.

So I want to ask the same set of questions as it pertains to the VA rating part of this which is that the goal is 15 days.

There is this understandable tension between people who are on the verge of transitioning out and their commanders.

The BDD, the Benefits Delivery Discharge claims and the Quick Start claims I think year to date are under 25,000.

Are you saying that by August, you will relieve the backlog and by October, you will meet that 15 day goal?

I think about the providers at the El Paso VHA, many of whom--doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, psychologists, therapists, counselors--could be working in the private sector for more money.

I gave you two reasons on that Arizona Border Surveillance. No life-cycle costs and no clear metrics for what that is supposed to achieve after spending up to $700 million.

The sensitivity is so great that not only have I but the other Congressman representing the area... have all pleaded with CBP not to construct that wall there at a cost of $5.5 million.

I would think that those major findings that the GAO made after the failure of SBInet we should stop before proceeding with this Arizona Border Surveillance Technology Initiative.

Will you pause in this project?

Fort Bliss offers the Army opportunities to adapt, innovate, and achieve its near-term readiness priorities.

What are we going to do now that we know the consequences of lack of access, delay, and ultimately denial really is what we are talking about in care and lack of accountability?

We have doubled the size of the Border Patrol.

We really appreciate the work that they do, in spite of all of that.

I want to thank the panelists here today from CBP and from ICE.

I appreciate that. I want to commend you and our new Secretary for this greater level of transparency...