One of the most critical functions of this Committee is to ensure that we are providing the men and women who served our Nation with the health care, compensation, and support they have earned.

Over the years I have looked to the Independent Budget for guidance as we make the tough decisions necessary to fully fund the VA and to ensure that our budget priorities meet our national priorities and aspirations.

There are no easy answers, but we owe those who sacrificed themselves in defense of our Nation nothing less than the health care and benefits that have earned with their service.

The fact that there are nearly 950 suicide attempts per month by our brave men and woman who have served this country is more than just a problem. It is a crisis.

I really do believe it is important, and our Ranking Member here can attest to it, when we had the full Committee hearing, one of the recommendations that I made to Chairman Miller is we have to bring in Secretary Shinseki and Secretary…

What we need to do now is identify what tools these veterans need to fight the enemy within.

let's get Secretary Shinseki and Secretary Panetta here before this committee so we can start working towards one single understanding

The threat to continued American dominance in the air is real, and it is growing.

I support the program because in the future there is a very good chance that our military will have to overcome sophisticated air defense systems.

If we walk away from the F-35 program, we simply won't be able to project power in many areas of the world in the future.

I have to take umbrage at you saying, General McCaffrey, that there is no strategy, that there is no comprehensive--