On the recordJuly 30, 2014
The recent revelations of corruption and scandal at the VA have cast a dark cloud over a Department that should be held to the highest possible standard. We cannot forget the cost of war does not stop when the last bullets are fired. We have an obligation to make sure that every last veteran gets the care and benefits that he or she earned on the battlefield. The compromise that is before us today is an important step forward. It provides emergency funding for access to timely care and invests in the VA's long-term capacity to address veterans' needs, but still, there is more to be done. I regularly meet with young veterans in San Diego who are having trouble adapting to civilian life. These are some of the brightest, hardest-working men and women in the United States, and yet they often find it hard to prove that the skills they developed in the military have prepared them for work or school. To help them, we need to take a broader look at the challenges veterans face entering the workforce, getting an education, and managing their finances as they transition out of the service. I certainly look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that our veterans have the tools they need to succeed. It is the least we can do. ____________________
