Despite the efforts the VA has made to increase access to rural veterans... there are a lot of gaps still with our rural veterans.

I have been working with the VA, as you know, to open new contract clinics in three of our underserved communities in my State, Omak, Republic, and Colville, so that those local veterans can get easier access.

I want to thank our witnesses, all of them who are here today, as well. I look forward to hearing your testimony.

Should there be guidelines?

A change this large I think ought to be phased in so we can have a smooth transition process.

Still, I am still very concerned about the health and welfare of our service members with visible and invisible wounds.

I just want to make sure we're not pressuring people to stay on the job when they should be taking----

And you have the resources you need to do that?

I rise today to express my strong opposition to the resolution before us that would block the EPA from regulating greenhouse gas emissions and protecting our families and the environment. This resolution is not based on science, and I feel…

Do you think that BP ought to come to the table on this?

nothing--absolutely nothing--is more important to you than workplace safety.

And I just would mention the issue with the contractors being cited separately is probably why we saw the report that Deepwater Horizon had a group of BP executives on board celebrating the crew's safety achievements on the day when the…

I am delighted to be here today and honored to give her my highest recommendation, because I really believe she is going to excel as Chair of the NIGC.

I come to the floor today to strongly support the legislation called the Big Oil Bailout Prevention Act. With all we have seen in the gulf coast over the past several weeks, I have to say I am more committed than ever in moving forward on…

Whenever we have this discussion about assessments, we get back to are we going to have a test that we hand these kids, and if they pass, then the teacher is doing well?

I come to this not just as a U.S. Senator, but as a mom who put my kids through school.

We have really got to focus on quality control of programs that are known to work.

Quality is what the adults do with kids.

There is no question they have earned that support.

But, people are looking whether you have a backlog or not.

So, is there something we can do to change it so that this is taken seriously by mine operators?

Every night, as many as 100,000 veterans experience homelessness.

Well, I want to thank all three of you for coming and testifying today. This has been extremely helpful to both of our subcommittees as we now move forward and in the appropriations process to make sure we are providing the resources to…

Well, it is important to keep remembering that all the good words from back here have to go all the way down to the bottom to make it work.

Opening Statement of Senator Patty Murray