Libby is standing by live with us. As always, we have to take a back seat. So tell us, this was interesting because it is a bipartisan measure. Thats right. It was crafted by the chairman of the house and sinate Veterans Affairs committees. They were able to Work Together and get past the fighting over just how much this would cost. And in addition to providing for more doctors, nurses and new leases on facilities, it will also do something republicans were pushing for. Which is let veterans go outside the v. A. System if they live 40 miles away from a center or if have had to wait more than two weeks to get an appointment. Del, you will remember that is what started this scandal about four months ago when it was revealed that veterans facilities, including one in phoenix arizona were waiting for months to get appointments. Into this is one of those situations in washington where both sides of the aisle were equally outraged as both have a lot of military members in their voting repres
I also want to say a big thanks to americas new secretary of veterans affairs, Bob Mcdonnell who is here. Stand up, bob. [applause] as some of you may know, bob head of one of the biggest, most Successful Companies in the world. But he also was a west point grad, also a ranger who served valiantly on behalf of his country. And this is a labor of love for him, and he is hit the ground running. Hes heading out to the hospitals and clinics around the country, starting with phoenix tomorrow. So thank you, bob, for accepting this charge and this challenge, making sure that were doing right by our veterans. I know youre going to do a great job. Really proud of him. [applause] i want to thank all the members of congress who are here today, and i specia especially o thank those who led the fight to get bob and the va more of the resources and flexibility that they need to make sure every veteran has access to the care and benefits that theyve earned. Senator bernie sanders. Senator richard bur
The hearing will come to order. We are here to discuss the president s fiscal year 2016 budget request for the department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Secretary, welcome to the committee. Understand that your testimony will be a little bit different today than what we are accustomed to with reference to chart to help us better understand what you are seeing in terms of the challenges that lay ahead and i would say that is indeed a welcome change. So too is the open as you have had with me with members of this committee and this congress about your plans to change the culture at the va. As your testimony illustrates you have been extremely active in visiting va facilities. I think its well over 90 at this point, talking with employees veteran groups in your private sector colleagues with one aim in mind, putting everyones focus squarely on the needs of veterans. Thank you for your willingness to take the job of secretary and thank you for putting everything you have into that job. Turning t
In iraq, we were there on the ground collecting so we had data bases to use. The concern is in syria, the lack of our footprint on our ground in syria, that the data bases wont have the information we need. It is not the lack of process, it is the lack of information. And is there ways that you could suggest we go about trying to get this information . I just dont think you can go and get it. You are talking about a country that is a failed state. It does not have any infrastructure so to speak so all of the data sets, the police, the Intel Services that you would go and seek that exist dont exist. And that raises grave concern as being able to do proper background checks of the individuals coming into the country. Yes. All right. Now, mr. Taylor, thank you for your testimony as well. And as a member as chairman of the subcommittee on transportation and i look forward to working together for the Mutual Benefit of everybody. And looking at your written transmission and so i can better u
In iraq. The u. S. Supreme court handed down two top decisions on the final day of its session. High court has ruled today, that Certain Companies can refuse to pay with certain types of contraception. Both in their churches and outside their chimps. Clumps. Churches. To deny their employees federally mandated benefits. Lisa stark is in washington for us and lisa this is something of a blow to the president s Signature Health care law. Tell us about the ruling. This was perhaps the most closely watched case of the session, tony. It broke down under ideological lines. Some companies can opt out and object to the religious mandate. Hobby lobby owns Something Like 500 Crafts Stores around the country and has 13,000 employees. The Company Owners say their, beliefs would not allow them to cover plan b which this their view is like having an abortion. The court did find that closely Held Companies like this can claim a religious exemption from the Obamacare Mandate on contraceptives. Laurie