Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment that would prohibit the Department of Veterans Affairs from using any funds under this bill to process medical claims for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In December of last year, I led a letter to the VA, along with 23 other Republican Members, after receiving reports that the VA had contracted with ICE to process medical claims for illegal aliens in ICE custody. Considering the record numbers of illegal aliens streaming across our border, thanks to the Biden administration's reckless policies, we were concerned that the VA personnel were being taken away from their mission to serve our veterans. I am pleased that the underlying bill prohibits the VA from providing benefits directly to illegal aliens; however, my amendment is still necessary to ensure that the VA resources are focused solely on veterans since the current interagency arrangement allows the VA to provide this service to ICE. The VA exists to serve American veterans who risked their lives to protect our great country. For far too long, the VA has fallen short in its mission: ``To fulfill President Lincoln's promise `To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan' by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's veterans.'' Unfortunately, veterans continue to experience unacceptable wait times in receiving medical care and disability benefits.…”