On the recordMay 19, 2016
last night I was off the floor when Senator McCain of Arizona offered an amendment regarding the Veterans Choice bill. Before the decision is made, I wish to memorialize my support for the McCain amendment. As chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, we waived jurisdiction so it could be offered on the VA component of this bill. I wish to add one further comment. The cost associated with extending the eligibility of Veterans Choice by 3 years, which is the McCain amendment, scores at a cost. But to recognize that cost, you have to assume we would not have treated an eligible veteran under any other program if Choice expired. We are never going to abandon our veterans. We have a commitment to the veterans for the health care they have signed up for. What Senator McCain is doing is trying to improve access to health care and to maintain access through the choice of a private sector provider or through a VA provider. There is no additional cost, unless you assume that you want to take away a benefit that we gave 2 years ago in the omnibus that we passed. I commend Senator McCain for extending the eligibility for Choice for 3 more years. I will support the amendment when it comes before the Senate, and I encourage all other Members to do the same. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
