We are all appalled that in some cases it is taking years for these claims to be adjudicated.

In your judgment, do you think we will reach the goal, the very ambitious goal established by the Secretary?

The bottom line is that I believe we have a strong health care system within the VA.

IAVA strongly supports S. 257, the GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act of 2013, which would grant in-state status at public colleges and universities for all veterans using the GI Bill.

I found those hearings extraordinarily helpful because we heard from veterans from all walks of life, from different wars; and we had a very broad understanding of the needs of our veterans.

AFGE supports Chairman Sanders' focus on this issue.

By passing the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, Congress sent veterans a clear message--we've got your back.

AFGE supports requirements in S. 928 for regular oversight and reporting to Congress.

Everybody always talks about how we are not going to balance the budget on the backs of our veterans.

The Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of 2013 would address many of these challenges.

I personally believe that visibility into actual production when measured against projected workload and production will allow stakeholders to see what benchmarks VA must hit in order to reach the Secretary's goals.

We cannot afford: to take these most vulnerable people, our disabled veterans and elderly veterans, and make them bear the brunt.

I have introduced legislation called the Veterans Equipped for Success Act of 2013.

AFGE commends Chairman Sanders for proposing to increase collaboration among interested parties to fix the current, broken work credit system.

The proposal would cut VA disability benefits for a 30-year-old veteran by more than $13,000 a year by age 45.

I just wanted to say a few words on an issue that is of deep concern to many Americans. In 2001, 2006, and in 2011, I voted against the USA PATRIOT Act. I voted against that legislation because I believed in a democratic and constitutional…

As we transform the entire system--and I think that was long overdue--I think it should have been done years before we began this.

I rise this afternoon to say a few words about the immigration reform bill that, as I understand it, we will begin discussing next week. As the son of an immigrant, somebody who came to this country at the age of 17 without a nickel in his…

I ask unanimous consent the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Immigration

I wanted to thank Senators Begich, Blumenthal, Bennet, and Merkley for cosponsoring this amendment, as well as support from many environmental and food organizations all over this country. The concept we are talking about today is a fairly…

I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment is as follows: (Purpose: To permit States to require that any food, beverage, or other…

I call up amendment No. 965 and ask for its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the amendment. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Vermont [Mr. Sanders], for himself and Mr…

I will be very brief, as I spoke on this issue before. Here is the story, using my own State of Vermont as an example, but it exists all over the country. This year the Vermont House of Representatives passed a bill by a vote of 99 to 42…

let me begin by congratulating Senators Stabenow and Cochran for their hard work on this very important piece of legislation, especially for rural States such as Vermont, but I guess for everybody who eats, which is the majority of the…

I think it would be much more productive for our economy if that money was out going to small businesses and into the productive economy.