Political Quotes

“I thank Mr. Takano and Ranking Member Bost for supporting the en bloc. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor today to speak on behalf of the Hayes amendment offered by my friend and neighbor from Connecticut, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes, who unfortunately could not be here today because she is quarantining. Her amendment is a commonsense proposal to improve an already outstanding bill that will connect more veterans to benefits they have earned by volunteering to wear the uniform of this country. Mr. Speaker, last year, at the outset of the VA's highly successful COVID vaccination program, Congresswoman Hayes and I both toured the VA hospital in West Haven, Connecticut, which is the flagship of our VA healthcare system. I had a chance to personally observe her authentic, well-informed advocacy for veteran patients and their family members, asking questions about ways Congress can improve the system, particularly about communicating the full extent of their benefits. She described casework from the veterans seeking care, about the burdens they faced when navigating a complicated system where not only veterans, but family members struggle to stay current with changing rules and programs. It is particularly troublesome to hear cases of veterans who lose eligibility for help because of late claims caused by poor communication, oftentimes at the time of discharge from military service. Mr.…”