With the growing number of disability exams performed by contractors, it is crucial that we ensure that these exams are performed accurately and in a timely manner.

I applaud the VA for their effort thus far. But more work to improve access must be done in the realm of the contract examination process.

I am hopeful in the future that VA will continue to improve the contract exam program to guarantee better results for veterans and their families.

What I hear each time is the length and the complexity of the hiring process.

I have had the opportunity three times this year to visit the Hampton VA Medical Center.

I have yet to understand if this is a statutory requirement or if it is just within the VA policy for hiring.

I represent a large portion of Hampton Roads, which has a very large veterans concentration.

So it hits home a lot in a community like this where everyone is so tied to the military.

It's going to impact our mission and our security.

As a Navy veteran, I believe in focusing our limited resources toward efforts that will make our forces more effective, reliable, and efficient. I oppose this amendment that would decrease the National Nuclear Security Administration's…

Today I am happy to announce House passage of a commonsense amendment to prohibit Federal spending for offshore drilling throughout the entire Atlantic Ocean. Protecting our coastal Virginia district from the threat of offshore drilling is…

It is clear that we cannot save San Francisco Bay without federal funds.

The Chesapeake Bay is one of our nation's greatest natural resources.

Representative Elaine Luria, in support of the Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization Act.

This bipartisan bill will help ensure that the Bay remains a vibrant and beautiful destination for future generations.

I urge you to please take action to move H.R. 1132 expeditiously through committee.

Keeping our waterways healthy and safe must be a top priority.

Are you aware that the, you know, VA can help you with this issue and I would recommend that you would now warm handoff to the VBA to talk about whether you want to put in a claim about this?

I would like to start by talking about the proposed H.R. 1647, Veterans' Equal Access Act proposed by Representative Blumenauer.

I continue today in grieving for Virginia Beach and for those that we lost. Those who knew the victims are making statements that we need to hear. Bert Snelling's neighbor told a Virginian-Pilot reporter, ``It's the world we live in now…

I urge all of my colleagues to vote for the SECURE Act and, in doing that, fix this tax problem that has impacted so many of our Gold Star families across the Commonwealth of Virginia and the country.

We are all in Congress because we see room for improvement in America, especially for our servicemembers, veterans, and our military families. As a 20-year Navy veteran myself, I know it is not just the brave men and women who fight for…

With this momentum, we can fix a problem for so many heroic families and ensure security for their benefits. I include in the Record a letter signed by 20 veterans service organizations in support of the Gold Star family tax provisions…

That seems like an unacceptable amount to meet the demand.

The selection rate for women to commander command was 3.8 percent, or 7 out of 146 who were selected.