Mark Pocan: “I agree with much of what the gentleman has said. The only problem is, as much as we have had some problems in the…”

“I agree with much of what the gentleman has said. The only problem is, as much as we have had some problems in the VA--and we need to take actions, and we are, including in Wisconsin where we have had an action that, in a bipartisan way, we have been working together on--the only thing worse could be the performance of Congress. There is a reason why the public currently rates cockroaches, head lice, traffic jams, zombies, and even the band Nickelback higher than Congress. Clearly, we do not have a performance record that shows if we pass this bill we can absolutely guarantee that a veteran won't be paying more, a spike as much as 38 percent, or 11 times what they are currently paying. I am not going to bet on Congress, and I am guessing the American public won't bet on Congress, but we have the ability with this amendment to at least say we are going to make sure those who have served our country won't pay more for their prescription drugs if we don't get our work done, because they have seen that all too often. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.”