Derrick Van Orden

If we want to truly strengthen these benefits, if we want to truly make this system work the way it is supposed to work, we have got to make sure VA has the capacity to efficiently deliver those benefits.

I love this country. I fought for this country for my entire adult life. So, I want what is best for America.

This is so incredibly confusing, convoluted, the way that you guys--you guys--are applying this, that it's detrimental to our ability to do things.

The GSA's failure to address these problems in a reasonable and timely manner has forced the taxpayers of Wisconsin's Third Congressional District to have to pay an additional $300 per month in rent for a new district office.

That is, ma'am, that is completely unacceptable.

I will not accept this outcome and will demand accountability for those personally responsible.

We should be able to fire you right now.

Put your finger on a calendar and let us stop this buffoonery.

Why are you still getting a paycheck? Can you answer that question, Mr. Garcia?

And I am a retired Navy Seal. I knew where all my people are at all times, everywhere.

I want to know when it is going to happen, because this is, again, completely unacceptable.

I just want you to step up this game because all the answers are there.

Why can't my people that are being paid by the American taxpayers walk into an office in a single GSA building in my district, why can't they go in there without being searched like they are a terrorist? Why?

I want specific answers. How many people, where are they at, what are they doing every day?

I write today to express frustration over the General Services Administration (GSA)'s incompetence in addressing two situations involving my former District office at Federal Courthouse in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

My colleague, who had to step back to the floor, Mr. Self, is a retired special forces colonel, and these things do not fly with us.

The sole intent of this subcommittee, the reason we exist in Congress, is to make sure that our veterans receive the benefits that they earned.

We are not going to let you kill these jobs because of some very, very poorly thought out, ideologically driven policy decision.

Veterans risk their lives for us, as you did. They have earned these education benefits. They are not a gift.

To me, it seems that if the vendor, which these guys proactively reached out to my office because they know I am the chairman of the subcommittee and they want to talk through some things in detail because I only give myself 5 minutes to…

I am a Member of Congress now because of these programs.

People on the street who you see--and your heart goes out to them--they are recipients of public assistance

Most veterans are more capable, not less, for their years in uniform.

helping people get to a healthier, stronger, more positive life

Sending a check from Washington with no human connection