Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2288, the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017. This important legislation will update and streamline the bureaucratic nightmare that is the disability appeals process. This bill breaks appeals down into three lanes to expedite decisionmaking and improves the ability of veterans to offer new information about their condition. The bill requires Secretary Shulkin to provide a comprehensive plan of how he plans to implement the crucial changes which are supported by both the VFW and the American Legion. Our men and women in uniform served with the assurance that they would be well treated when they came home. They earned and they deserve timely service from their government. Instead, veterans wait years to hear from an out-of-date, backlogged appeals system. Sometimes that process takes 5 years--5 years. That is an insult to their service, and it is an insult that we cannot tolerate. Our veterans fought for their country abroad. Now it is our job to ensure that they don't have another fight when they come home. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this important legislation.”