Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 8888, as amended, the Food Security for All Veterans Act. This bill establishes an office dedicated to ending veteran hunger at the VA that will collaborate with internal and external groups to develop and implement policies and procedures to identify and treat veterans at risk of or experiencing hunger. Food insecurity can create or exacerbate other health maladies and is one of many contributing factors that has led to increased suicide rates, diabetes, heart disease, and depression. Addressing veteran hunger is critical to this committee's suicide prevention efforts. Madam Speaker, I thank our newest Member from Alaska, Congresswoman Peltola, for taking up this important issue and prioritizing veterans. The VA has made tremendous strides in its work to end veteran hunger. The VA leads an interagency working group and regularly collaborates with its Federal counterparts on this issue. The VA also instituted a clinical reminder that screens every veteran who receives their care at VA for food insecurity and connects those in need with resources. However, until recently, these tasks were carried out by VA employees as ancillary duties. There was no staff dedicated solely to addressing veteran hunger.…”