The dysfunction of the claims system, the volume of work at the Court and the valuable role that it does play in the lives of veterans makes clear the importance of these nominations.

I am so honored to join so many of my Senate colleagues and people from Maryland and across this country in recognizing and congratulating the amazing woman you just heard from, my good friend from Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski, who…

FRA thanks the distinguished leaders of these Committees, Rep. Miller and Sen. Patty Murray, for working to advance legislation to authorize tax credits to employers that employ veterans and disabled veterans.

I echo your statements, and I specifically highlight the moving dedication ceremony.

2 years ago health insurance companies could deny women care due to so-called preexisting conditions, such as pregnancy or being a victim of domestic violence. Two years ago women were permitted to be legally discriminated against when it…

the Congress has been pushing you to move forward for years on this effort, we passed legislation that you voted for as a House member many years ago, and yet after 10 years of war you are still talking about a pilot program and an…

It's really disconcerting, after 10 years, to find now that that has not been the case.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), in my home State of Washington, is facing some very real questions on the way they have diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the invisible wounds of war.

No one, no one should be denying any servicemember care purely because of a question of cost.

if a soldier is afraid to reach out, if they feel that their professional military career will be hurt, we're trying to do everything we can to destigmatize that

It is making sure that those men and women get the care that they receive.

I am concerned as the Army begins to downsize by 80,000 soldiers over the next 5 years, how these soldiers will transition in a difficult economy and how that will impact the Army's bottom line with the increasing tab for unemployment…

we want to make sure that where this was inappropriate, it was an isolated case.

we want to make sure that everything is appropriate.

I thank my colleague from California, Senator Feinstein, for her longtime advocacy, and our colleague from Minnesota, Senator Klobuchar, for leading the effort to reauthorize this critically important bill to protect women in this country…

I appreciate that very much.

The need to invest in our transportation infrastructure is huge.

Gas prices are hurting everyone. And as you and I have talked about before, we need to look at all the alternatives to fossil fuels.

I would also encourage you to work with the Department of Labor and let them know what you are doing.

I really appreciate your focus on that.

Your budget request includes over $1 billion for NextGen, the effort to modernize our air traffic control system.

And you know that the Federal partnership that supports our ferry system is very important.

I am working with the Department of Defense, major airlines, and a lot of people to expand the availability and market for biodiesel and other biofuels.

We really appreciate all your work in this, your passion, your energy, and we will continue to work with you throughout this year to put the best bill we can together.

I wanted to ask you about one of my highest priorities, which is to help veterans transition from their life in the military into civilian employment.