Political Quotes

“sometimes bipartisanship and comity do work. They have in the last 24 and 48 hours on two measures that are critically important to help our Nation's veterans have access to benefits and healthcare that they vitally need, that they deserve, and that they have earned. Those measures relate to appeals reform and to the Choice Program. Last night the Senate passed by unanimous consent--which means without any objection--H.R. 2288, the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017. I am proud to have worked on this measure with the chairman of the VA Committee, Senator Isakson, when I was the ranking member of that committee during the last session. I thank him for his leadership, his vision, and his commitment to this very important cause. This bipartisan measure now goes to the President. It provides a significant step toward securing benefits veterans have earned. Once these reforms are fully funded--and they should be--our Nation's veterans will no longer be bogged down by a cumbersome, time-consuming, irksome, and, in fact, aggravating process that denies them fair and full consideration when they appeal their claim's denial. This reform will begin--it is only a beginning--a better system involving transparency and communication for veterans and their families. As ranking member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, I heard testimony that the Department of Veterans Affairs' appeals process desperately needs updating and reform.…”