You dont need to go through the va to get an authorization for care. Sir weve got to make it easier for the veteran. Thats what ive been we totally agree. Thank you very much. I yield back. Members were not going to do a second round of questions. Unless theres one that is just absolutely pressing. With that ms. Brown, youre recognize recognized. Thank you. Mr. Chairman, i want to thank you for holding this hearing. As far as im concerned failure is not an option. Weve heard a lot of discussion today. And i find it well where im coming from, it used to be program owned. Facts, just the facts. And i want people to understand the facts before they walk out that door. Because ive seen a lot of people snapping up pictures and us making different statements. I want you to give us a list of the facts while we are in this emergency situation and why, if we dont act before we go home, were going to have a crisis at the va. Every member needs to understand where we are. And this is not anything
Veterans, id like to see im a v. A. Provider even if its in my private practice. We should come over and discuss that. Ive been asking and secretary gibson said, imstaff, supplies everything involved would be important to this entire committee, the cost is not just the paper. Dr. Ruiz. Thank you to the chairman and Ranking Member for holding this hearing when brave young men and Women Volunteer to serve in our armed forces, they swear to support and defend the constitutional of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic. The Service Members make a promise to their country to all of us to keep us safe and protect our way of life in recognition of that service we promise to care for them when they return. So veterans is served and sacrificed and we must do whatever it takes to hold up our end. Many veterans in my district excluded from the strict requirements ochof the Choice Program dont receive care for what they are authorized because the v. A. Has begun delaying elect
Allsenators briefing. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Daines mr. President , i left montana yesterday morning to come back here to washington, d. C. , to do the work of the American People. But, as always, my heart remains in big sky country. Thats especially true right now as fires burn across our state. In fact, just yesterday, of the top 30 wildfires in the nation, 28 of those 30 wildfires were in montana. Our crisis in montana isnt water, its not too much water. Its not hurricanes. Its fire. It is smoke filling the air and filling our lungs. Its communities being evacuat evacuated, montanans standing on the side of the road looking at the fires moving toward their homes. Weve seen the loss of homes and many structures, and theyre looking at the tons of fuel just lying on the forest floor waiting for a spark to ignite. In fact, in this year alone, over 1,600 fires have burned nearly one million acres in montana. Thats nearly the size of the entire state of delaware. At
I know tim will join with me that his wife was the unsung hero. The oneils felt the support and generosity of those around hix he works at the the Treasury Department. Those close to tim donated their personal leave time to allow him to keep receiving a paycheck during this recovery process. And the Treasury Department assured him that his job would be waiting when he was read to return and a ready to return appeared able to return. Shortly after the stroke that he wasnt supposed to ever recover from, tim was back mothers selfmobile in a wheelchair. He taught himself to walk again. Never regain the use of his right hand at all. One of his only lasting handicaps to this day. He learned to write with his left hand. His resilience and determination is really amazing. And he went back to work. His stroke was in january of 1989. Again, that sunday doctors didnt think hed live through the night. And if he did, they thought his life would be in a wheelchair. In 1995, only six years later, he
Response. Some folks got here early to make sure they had a spot. She has been a lifelong inspiration for me for decades. Her book entitled what happened explores the contention 2016 president ial election. There was tight security inside. And outside the line stretched around the block, 1,000 tickets sold. I was talking to people in line. And theyre all says its very emotional that we get to see her now. There is tears already in line. Shelby volunteered for the Clinton Campaign in washington state. Today she was one of many moping for a few seconds with the former secretary of state. Im feeling really inspired. And im like a mess. And i just i love her. She is such of an incredible human being. There have been calls for other longterm democrats and mr. Clinton to pass the attorney. Supporters say they want her to stay and help lead the next generation. I think there is still a lot of faith for Diane Feinstein nancy pelosi and Hillary Clinton to be involved. There is no reason for the