Derek Kilmer: “The work we do to make sure we have the backs of those who serve is the most important work we do.”

My gratitude to Chairwoman Bice and to you, Mr. Chairman, and to Ranking Member Morelle, is that you are loving critics of the institution, and that matters.

I am grateful to my colleague and friend, Congressman Brad Wenstrup, for serving on our first panel today.

I think we make a terrible mistake--and I am through--when Members get elected and there is a Democratic bus and there is a Republican bus right at beginning.

These retreats will allow us to identify areas of mutual concern and agreement.