Mental health is something that I have talked about for a long time.

It is my privilege to present Gil Kerlikowske for the position of Director of National Drug Control Policy.

It really is my honor to be here, along with Senator Cantwell, to introduce to you Gil Kerlikowske.

I want to thank the Chief and his family for accepting this responsibility at, really, this important time in our Nation's history.

Nearly one million veterans are now unemployed as of February 2009.

We want it not to be business as usual. We want to not hear just about a bureaucracy, but about a people organization.

I have always said that we need a VA Secretary who will be honest about what our veterans need and have the backbone to stand up and ask for it.

Telling the truth about the needs is part of what builds confidence in veterans.

I think we all agree with that and look forward to seeing you implement a real change of culture and heart.

I am hopeful that we don't see from this administration those kinds of proposals for increased copays and fees.

this Senate has turned down those requests every time, so if you want an honest budget, it might be better to come to us without those in them.