Chairman isakson call this meet of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee together. I apologize again for being a little bit late i want to make sure were on the right track. I didnt mess anything up. I want to welcome secretary shulkin, who has had a great start. I dont think anybody in this administration started out with a better unanimous vote than he. Doing better than unanimous when you are confirmed. I think the vote last week on accountability was extraordinary. And the way we got to the decision working together was extraordinary and i commend the Ranking Member on his help in doing the same. We have some other things to do today to Start Talking about. Well have some other decisions made. We can keep the same tempo, same discipline, and same commitment to making sure we all know what each other knows before they happen rather than find out after the fact well all be better off. I welcome dr. Shulkin and the other members of the staff that are here today. And appreciate all tha
[inaudible conversations] this morning epa administrator scott pruitt testifies before House Appropriations subcommittee on Donald Trumps fiscal year 2018 budget request for the agency. Live coverage at 11 00 am eastern on cspan3, cspan. Org and the free cspan radio apps. Next, Veterans Affairs secretary doctor David Shulkin testifies on the president s 2018 budget request for his department. The hearing also has representatives of veterans groups talking about budget proposal. This hearing is about two hours. [inaudible conversations] let me apologize for being a little late. A couple things coming down the hall, i dont want to flip up on me but stand at ease. In the air force, and for just one minute, my trusted friend, Ranking Member, will open the [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] call this meeting of the Veterans Affairs committee together. I apologize again for being a little bit late but i want to make sure we are on the right track and i didnt mess anything up
I wanted to make sure we were on the right track and i didnt mess anything up. Wanted to welcome secretary. I dont think anybody who had a better unanimous vote. It was extraordinary and the way we got to the decision working together and was extraordinary. I commend the Ranking Member on his help doing the same. We have some thing to talk about budget wise. We can keep the same tempo and same commitment to make sure we all know what happens before it happens and well be better off. I appreciate all they have done in our meeting to explain where they are going. It is upward and outward and further ahead all along. I will make a long statement except to say a couple of things. I dont want to make this today but one thing i have to brag about, the certainer decision in getting our electronic after years of unwillingness is extraordinary. There are signs people were coming together in the past and makes sure it happens and works for our department of defense and the department of veterans
Millions warmly called him the bulldozer but for others he was the butcher. Tonight the would is remembering ariel sharon, he died today at the age of 85 after eight years any coma. Even in the end his son said he went on his own terms. Thats it. Hes gone. He went when he decided to go. And many israelis are mourning tonight. The countrys president spoke about the deep love many had for the former Prime Minister. The loss of one of its greatest leaders, former Prime Minister ariel sharon. He was an outstanding man and an exceptional commander. Who moved his people and loved them. And the people loved him. Here in the u. S. President obama expressed had i condolences saying, quote, on the loss of a leader who dedicated his life to the state of i says reel. We join with the israeli people in honoring his commitment to his country. Vice President Joe Biden will lead the u. S. Delegation for the Memorial Service. Sharon will lie . State starting in just a few hours. On monday, hes expected