David Shulkin: “We are putting the Veterans' needs first and the money follows.”

I came to Washington with the commitment to make our system work better for veterans. That's the commitment that I went to work every day. I continue to feel strongly about that. There was no reason why I would resign.

I ask for your steadfast support in funding our full FY 2019 and FY 2020 AA budget requests.

I wasn't willing to do that. I don't think that's the right thing for veterans and I stood up against them.

Delays, as you know, can prevent a veteran who may be ready to confront addiction from actually seeking treatment.