On the recordMarch 10, 2021
As the proud vice chair of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I particularly want to call out the critical relief that the American Rescue Plan provides for those who have served our country. The bill includes important funding for the Veterans Health Administration, prohibits copayments for medical care for veterans during the pandemic, strengthens VA's supply chain modernization, and helps State Veterans Homes upgrade and enhance their safety operations. It provides critical funding to increase VA's claims and appeals process to reduce the backlog caused by COVID-19, and it funds enhanced oversight through VA's Office of Inspector General. As chair of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, I am particularly proud that it provides $386 million for a rapid retraining program to help unemployed veterans get back to work. Thanks to the leadership of Committee Chairman Mark Takano and our colleagues, this bill provides the relief that veterans need and deserve. To our Nation's veterans, help is on the way.
