Samoa, the commonwealth of northern Mariana Islands come along, puerto rico and u. S. Virgin islands. More poorly we want to receive the perspective from our congress can help localss governments adequately address this world pandemic. Not just for the territories, its even i think have a better understanding when we say world pandemic as opposed to just try to keep it to the mainland here, discussion. The territories face unique challenges, geographic location, the unequal treatment under federal programs and the dire financial situation. And so the islands have been hit, have been hit by severe Natural Disasters including hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes, and now theyre weakening the Healthcare Infrastructure in the economys is covid19. The local governments have been working to recover these communities and rebuilding these events, but w i believe theres more that needs to be done, and that one of the things that this virus has provided all of us, and helped provide everyone in con
To hear about the virus response in American Samoa, northern mariana islands, guam, puerto rico, and virgin islands. More portly, we want to receive the perspective about how congress can help local governments adequately address this world pandemic. And for the territories, i think they have a better understanding when we say world pandemic as opposed to just trying to keep it to the mainland here. The territories face unique challenges. Based on geographic location, the unequal treatment under federal programs, and the dire financial situation. And so the islands having been hit by actual disasters in turn including hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes. Now those are we getting the Health Care Infrastructure as covid19. And so local governments has been working to recover and we build under these events. But i believe there is more than needs to be done. And one of the things that this virus has provided all of us is and i hope it provides everyone in congress, is a perspective. But as
Treatment under federal programs, and the financial situation. And so the islands having been hit by actual disasters in turn including hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes. Now those are we getting the aslth care infrastructure covid19. Local governments has been working to recover and rebuild under these events. But i believe there is more than needs to be done. Things that this virus has provided all of us is a perspective that as we go through and talk about recovery and relief, that there is a cumulative effect. And theres not been enough resources. Suddenly you are drowned economically and in terms of Health Response this very deadly virus. So it becomes a cumulative effect. Disparity at the beginning, and then you put disparity on top, you demand a response that is already taxing local communities and local governments. So i welcome this discussion. I think it is important. I think my colleagues, vice chair sablan of the full and internal affairs in. Particular. Thank you very, muc
Call this meeting of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee to order. Appreciate secretary shull kin for being here and his hard work. After opening statement, well go to secretary shulkin for statement and then members of the committee for q a. Let me say, this meeting is not about whats happened in the past, its about whats happening right now to correct some things that happened in the past. This is an accountability hearing. Ive told the secretary that we want to take the legislation we passed last year on accountability, on appeals, to give them the tools to address the significant problems confronting the veterans of america, vsos of america, and this committee, to begin moving away from the problems of the past and toward the solutions of the future, in particular on appeals, in particular on accountability, in particular on the gi bill, all those things that are important to the veterans and their families. And i pick particularly on the leadership of the va as well. I want to t
For being here and his hard work. After opening statement, well go to secretary shulkin for statement and then members of the committee for q a. Let me say, this meeting is not about whats happened in the past, its about whats happening right now to correct some things that happened in the past. This is an accountability hearing. Ive told the secretary that we want to take the legislation we passed last year on accountability, on appeals, to give them the tools to address the significant problems confronting the veterans of america, vsos of america, and this committee, to begin moving away from the problems of the past and toward the solutions of the future, in particular on appeals, in particular on accountability, in particular on the gi bill, all those things that are important to the veterans and their families. And i pick particularly on the leadership of the va as well. I want to thank secretary shulkin. Ive always been complimentary of him. People say im too nice to him. Im not