[inaudible conversations] the committee will come to order. Before we begin, i would like to take a moment to recognize the passing of one our colleagues, senator mike enzi. He was a long serving member of this committee, and someone who really embodied the nonpartisan tradition of this committee. He was always a willing partner when it came to commonsense legislative ideas and our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Id like to take a brief moment of silence to honor his memory. Thank you. Thank you, Secretary Mayorkas, for being here today, and for your service to our nation. In accepting the nomination to be secretary of Homeland Security, you inherited a number of very serious challenges. You have a difficult job and i appreciate your unwavering commitment. I have been pleased to see the department and the administration take concrete steps to combat threats against american communities, including the ongoing Covid19 Pandemic. Today, this committee will discuss how we can help
I call this hearing to order. Good afternoon. I want to thank Secretary Mcdonough and my favorite montanan for being here today. I appreciate you guys taking the time to take a closer look at the president s fiscal year 2022 budget for the department of veteran affairs. Most everyone would agree the v. A. Handled the Covid Pandemic incredibly well. We also know that the ripple effects of this pandemic will be felt for years to come. The v. A. Budget needs account for this. We need to make sure no veteran is left behind or negatively impacted because of covid19. The current proposal is the largest Request Weve ever seen from the v. A. I am pleased to see this. And funding to help v. A. Speed up claims decisions for veterans with one of the three Agent Orange conditions added by congress just last year as a step in the right direction. I am also glad to see a renewed effort to address Veterans Homelessness and this budget request. However, the v. A. Still has a ways to go to address defi
All rise. All rise. Usually when people say there he is, its not a good thing. Jerry, you know that the world does not spin unless youre there, okay . So well call the meeting back to order and well hear from the illustrious Ranking Member, the great senator from kansas, senator jerry moran. Senator tester, thank you for that kind introduction. Ill be expecting something that you want from me once again as a result, mr. Secretary, nice to see you. I apologize. I assume your Opening Statement would have been given in my absence and i was hoping not to miss that. We didnt do that. Shes yet to go. Very good. Secretary mcdonough and the witnesses that will join us in our second panel, im pleased that youre here. Im eager to hear from all of you, your thoughts regarding the budget for fiscal year 2022. These hearings, while sometimes tedious, are very important. We need in my view, particularly at this point in time, greater transparency and an understanding of the v. A. s in this case, fun
The Homeland Security testified before the Senate Homeland Committee about the President S 2022 Budget Request. Gary peters chaired the hearing. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] the committee will come to order. Before we begin, i would like to take a moment to recognize the passing of one our colleagues, senator mike enzi. He was a long serving member of this committee, and someone who really embodied the nonpartisan tradition of this committee. He was always a willing partner when it came to commonsense legislative ideas and our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Id like to take a brief moment of silence to honor his memory. Thank you. Thank you, Secretary Mayorkas, for being here today, and for your service to our nation. In accepting the nomination to be secretary of Homeland Security, you inherited a number of very serious challenges. You have a difficult job and i appreciate your unwavering commitment. I have been pleased to see
I called hearing to order. Good afternoon, i want to thank Secretary Mcdonough and my favorite montanans, John Murkowski for being here today. I appreciate you guys taking the time to take a closer look at the president s fiscal year 2022 budget for the department of veterans affairs. Most everyone would agree that the va and with the Covid19 Pandemic incredibly well. We also know that the ripple effects of this pandemic is going to be felt for years to come. The Vas Budget pleased to count for this. And we do everything possible to ensure that no veteran is left behind or negatively impacted because of covid19. The current proposal in front of us is the largest ever requested from the va. I am pleased to see increases in fundraising for Suicide Prevention including you implementation of the scott hannity act, and funding to help the Va Speed up claims decisions for veterans with one of the three [inaudible] conditions demanded by congress just last year. Its a step in the right direct