Patty Murray

It's a measure of the significance of this program, in terms of readiness, for these families who have given so much.

I want your commitment to work with me to ensure we get that moving correctly forward.

Do you have the funds that you need within your Department to adequately staff for the transition that will need to take place?

I am committed to working with Congress in supporting the families and spouses of Service members.

In the State of Washington, we're very interested in adding a Stryker Brigade Combat Team to the Army National Guard.

If we don't get them home and with their families, and get them the care they need, then we're going to be in trouble in the future.

I hear it all the time, they're afraid to say something is wrong, because they don't want to sit there, miles and thousands of miles away from family.

I am a little frustrated with the bureaucracy and the delay surrounding the release of the suicide rates for female veterans by the VA.

I just want to make sure you are staying in touch with us to make sure that we have got the resources to be able to deal with that issue and see that happen.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate your having this hearing today.

The Homeless Veterans and Other Health Care Authorities Act of 2010 lays the foundation on which we as a nation can wage a successful assault on veteran homelessness.

How are we going to work better with our communities to help create partnerships or apprenticeships or other ways for our veterans to get back into the workforce?

Along with 26 other States, my home State of Washington, under an agreement with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), operates an occupational safety and health program in accordance with section 18 of the Occupational…

The fact that our veterans have sacrificed for our Nation only to spiral into depression and suicide is appalling.

I am going to be introducing actually legislation next week on a veterans' employment legislation.

I just find that completely unacceptable.

The unemployment rate for our young veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan is now over 21 percent.

Caring for American veterans remains one of the Nation's highest priorities and clearly is one of yours.

I have often said that I hope we some day become--and I think you are in the process of doing that--as good at taking care of our veterans as we are creating them.

Thank you to both of you on that.

I don't think anybody is saying status quo.

If we make this into a win or lose or a competitive thing, we are going to create a bigger gap.

I am working hard to support programs that will get our economy moving again and get our workers back on the job.

We will need to see those. Okay, good.

Are you looking at expanding this to any of the other States?