One of your 2016 breakthrough goals is to continue to decrease the number of homeless veterans and families, which I applaud.

I have gotten complaints of the Seattle VA refusing to help a veteran who was in serious pain.

We cannot have the message be, 'If you have a problem, call your Senator. They will pass it on.'

If you have a problem, call your Senator. They will get hold of the VA.

I applaud the President for taking the small steps to strengthen the enforcement of existing Federal gun laws.

I hope that all of my colleagues can agree that we can and must do more, more to address this critical issue and more to keep our communities safe.

I am particularly interested in strengthening the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

We're seeing a lot more press and discussion of that in my State right now.

This has been a really important hearing, and I really want to thank all of our witnesses today.

We talked about making sure communities have access to mental health professionals, integrating the primary care with mental health care, prioritizing research, and breaking down barriers.

If we are going to confront the challenges I've laid out today and many others within our mental health system, we have to break down the barriers that stigma creates for those suffering from mental illness.

No one is immune from gun violence, whether you are a Congresswoman trying to meet with your constituents named Gabby Gifford, whether you are children going to elementary school in a wonderful suburban community called Sandy Hook.

I am really glad that we have this opportunity today to continue our discussion about ways to improve our mental health care system.

I'm particularly concerned about the availability of crisis response services in areas with low population density.

It is heartbreaking, especially because when someone does get treatment and support, it can truly make a difference.

I do support the President's measure on guns. He is within his constitutional authority to act.

Your message that people aren't defined by their mental illness is really a powerful one, and I appreciate that.

So they go back out into the community?

Resources in the community that they feel comfortable accessing.

We do need to change our Nation's culture of violence. We do need to stop guns from getting into the wrong hands, the criminals, those with mental illness, without infringing on the right of law-abiding citizens to purchase firearms.

I am very frustrated that the Senate has been unable to advance common sense and bipartisan measures to bolster both the enforcement of our existing gun laws but also to pass additional safety provisions.

Will it really help the American people? Are we within our constitutional boundaries?

How are you working with States to make sure that, as they implement the new quality and safety provisions, children and families don't lose access to child care?

That is why my colleague, the ranking member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and I, as ranking member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, urge the Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC…

today I wish to engage in a colloquy with my colleague from Florida to speak briefly about the Senate's recent passage of S. 142, the Child Nicotine Poisoning Prevention Act of 2015, which was introduced by Senator Nelson and which I…