Mike Bost: “They were also given a chance to submit markup at a full committee markup, and yet, the first time I have heard these…”

“They were also given a chance to submit markup at a full committee markup, and yet, the first time I have heard these concerns was late last week. The bill, through regular order, as amended, was offered for the minority Representative, Mr. McGarvey, to reduce the length of time in the program. That amendment was accepted and included in the bill. The length of the program was subject to bipartisan agreement. I recognize that the minority has valid concerns about spending and limited resources that we have worked with. The problem was made worse with the passage of the Toxic Exposure Fund, the PACT Act, that requires mandatory spending for many of the VA programs. Mr. Speaker, I repeat my plea that my friends on the other side of the aisle join me in developing a resolution to the issue.”