Political Quotes

“I am going to be brief because I do want my colleagues to listen. This is an important amendment. Today, the VA determination is that if a veteran cannot handle their own finances, then their name is referred to the FBI and they are put on the NICS list. Today, 129,000 veterans are on the NICS list. Yes, there is an appellate process to get off, but the VA provides no help to the veteran. The cost is all incurred by the veteran. Only 200 veterans have applied for that reversal in the decision, and only 6 have been granted. They should never be put on it. A determination that they cannot handle their own finances is not a determination that they are a threat to themselves or to the public. This bill is very simple. It says that if the VA makes a determination, there has to be a judicial decision to put them on NICS lists. That is the standard everywhere else in the Federal Government. I urge my colleagues to support this very important piece of legislation. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New York.”