Abraham sees value in reaching across aisle

WASHINGTON – Rep. Ralph Abraham grabbed his black binder Wednesday, then raced from a hearing on food stamps to another hearing on cost overruns at a Veterans Affairs medical center in Denver.

The Louisiana Republican freshman, one of the newest members of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, waited his turn to question federal officials.

"It's just ridiculous,'' Abraham said later of the additional $830 million officials want to finish the center. "Somebody's got to own this thing and be accountable when they mess up.''

Wednesday was Abraham's 100th day since he was sworn in Jan. 6. He unseated Republican Rep. Vance McAllister last year to win his first elected post.

Abraham, a doctor, Army veteran and flight instructor, said he's still humbled by the job.

"I still find myself walking the halls and looking at the paintings and looking at the statutes and saying, 'This is history,''' he said.

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