John Bel Edwards: “the House should not recess this week until we have addressed the VA health care crisis. As we speak, health care…”

“the House should not recess this week until we have addressed the VA health care crisis. As we speak, health care services for veterans all across America are either being delayed or cut because of a billion dollar plus shortfall in VA health care programs. Cutting veterans health care during a time of war is inexcusable and wrong. Unfortunately, 12 days ago the House leadership refused to support the billion and a half emergency funding bill passed by the Senate 96 to 0 on a bipartisan basis. We could have had help already on its way to our veterans. It has been 8 days since Members of Congress gave patriotic speeches on July 4 honoring the service of our veterans. Those speeches are fine. Veterans deserve our support with our deeds not just our words. Given the House leadership caused the VA health care crisis in the first place by underfunding, seriously underfunding health care programs for veterans over the last 2 years, they have a moral obligation to bring and pass through this House and send to the President this week an emergency funding bill for veterans. Our veterans deserve no less. ____________________”