"taking care of those who have served is the best way to recruit people in the future"
"Well, you know, in the time since I have been in the Senate, the backlog has dramatically increased in terms of metrics."
"So if you are somebody out there, having retired, looking at what it is going to cost you for health care, you are seeing... a significant jump with the proposals from DOD."
"I think we have an obligation to provide them with a benefit package that is very generous and reflects their sacrifice and service."
"Secretary Hale, you mentioned the cross section of the Total Force when it comes to the reductions that we are looking at."
"the number one priority of the Federal Government from my point of view is to defend the Nation"
"If you are medically retired from the military, it is 30 percent or above where you can use commissary and exchange."
"I think we really need to include the breadth of knowledge in the review that is available today."
"Thank you, Senator Blumenthal. Again, let me emphasize that I do not think there is any disagreement in this room about wanting to help the people who are in need."
"I want to finish this thought with Mr. Hilton."
"I appreciate all of the testimony from a very wide breadth of knowledge and experience, and it has been extremely useful to us."