Patty Murray

We are concerned about the techno-boondoggle that has occurred, the tremendous loss of money, and the tremendous loss of opportunity.

We believe that when we work together, we govern best.

By 2020, the proportion of women veterans using VA health care is expected to reach 15 percent.

I believe the Brady Act is not only an illegal act pertaining to veterans, but an ethical, civil rights, and privacy issue.

The NRHA applauds Chairman Akaka for introducing this important bill.

We thank Senator Tester for introducing this bill and for this Committee's examination of it.

We believe the Women's Health Care Improvement Act of 2009 will allow VA to effectively meet the needs of women veterans.

We urge the Committee to approve this bill because its passage in the 111th Congress would address DAV's highest priority in VA health care.

I think it is important to address that with DOD and I appreciate that.

I recently held a press conference on women's veterans issues, and in attendance were several female veterans.

This legislation is key and I really thank the Committee for considering it today.

I was thrilled by that development and it is a major victory for our veterans.

Southeastern Washington needs the existing VA facilities and it deserves a new, modern VA facility, as well.

I sent letters to the VA Secretary. I contacted President Bush.

I have been very proud to fight alongside the veterans in the three-State region served by the Walla Walla VA, to save Walla Walla VA and ensure that it has a future.

We have to make sure that the VA is prepared to take care of the needs of these honorable veterans.

It is very important that Congress use its legislative powers to make sure that the VA is prepared to meet the health care needs of our veterans tomorrow as well as today.

This legislation would eliminate copayments paid by catastrophically disabled veterans.

The bottom line is, we could have the best programs in the world for our veterans, but if they don't know about them, it is not going to do anybody any good.

We finally have a President of the United States who is in support of advanced appropriations.

Well, I'd like to thank all of our witnesses today, especially for keeping your testimony tight, as we are in budget mode here and have a number of amendments that we'll start voting on shortly.

Thanks in great part to Senator Murray, we now have increased loan limits so buyers of more expensive homes can also benefit from FHA financing.

Thanks in great part to Senator Murray, the increased loan limits have allowed buyers of more expensive homes to benefit from FHA financing.

We put $2 million into the Appropriations Committee last year to deal with that and $6 million to the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation.

I think there is also more that we can do on a legislative basis to try to make sure we do that.