Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7105, the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. I consider the word ``optimism'' to mean hope that actually includes a plan, and I have sincere optimism that the bipartisan legislative package before us today will serve as a blueprint for the great work we can achieve in the next Congress by working together. More importantly, I have confidence that it will make a positive difference in veterans' lives. For example, H.R. 7105 includes my legislation, the GI Bill Planning Act of 2019, which will give military enlistees greater ability to consider which GI Bill benefits are right for them. Just think, in the heat of the first 2 weeks of their boot camp, 70 percent of enlistees decide to pay $1,200 upfront to opt into their Montgomery GI Bill benefit, but 97 percent actually end up using the more robust post-9/11 GI Bill. By delaying this Montgomery GI Bill opt- in decision 6 months and responsibly ending new enrollment in 10 years, we will actually save recruits money and ensure they are more informed on their future education benefits. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and the ranking member for including not only my bill but several other major measures that I have co-led to improve VA transparency in benefits decisions, as well as increase accountability in the Department's efforts to address programs that are at a high risk of waste, fraud, and abuse. Mr.…”