we are changes is with the military times, and connor o'brien covers that covers defense for politico. leo, you are up first with questions. >> i wanted to talk about the budget announcement this week, in particular the v.a. budget and you originally said you had concerns that the obama administration is growing more money at all the v.a.. that is not the way to solve it.

we are changes is with the military times, and connor o'brien covers that covers defense for politico. leo, you are up first with questions. >> i wanted to talk about the budget announcement this week, in particular the v.a. budget and you originally said you had concerns that the obama administration is growing more money at all the v.a.. that is not the way to solve it. what is your opinion of what the budget is? do you feel like that's what's happening here? >> the increase in the budget is 9.8%, but 12% of that is mandatory because we have made promises to those who serve in the military. that is not appropriations, it s something we have to do. discretionary spendling, which is where you get runaway spending, is down. under the circumstances, being down to 5% is ok. i am down with being with where they recommended. >> have you seen the reforms they have had in their? are they headed in the right direction? we have seen dramatic increases over the last few years or o. is it sustainable to have money to this budget? >> you have to fulfill the promise you made to those who serve the

we are changes is with the military times, and connor o'brien covers that covers defense for politico i wanted to talk about the budget announcement this week, in particular the v.a. budget and you originally said you had concerns that the obama administration is growing more money at all the v.a.. that is not the way to solve it. what is your opinion of what the budget is? >> the increase in the budget is 9.8%, but 12% of that is mandatory because we have made promises to those who serve in the military. that is not appropriations, it is something we have to do. circumstances, being down to 5% is ok. i am down with being with where they recommended. >> have you seen the reforms they have had in their? are they headed in the right direction? we have seen dramatic increases over the last few years or so. is it sustainable to have money to this budget? >> you have to fulfill the promiseno