Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak as a cosponsor of the VA MISSION Act. I appreciate the work of Chairman Roe and Ranking Member Walz in putting this bill together. This bill is almost unanimously supported by the veterans service organization community. I am proud to cosponsor this legislation because it will enact needed reforms to the Veterans Choice Program and finally extend benefits to family caregivers for veterans of all eras. I am pleased that the committee retained provisions that Senator Sullivan of Alaska and I fought for that would recognize the unique access issues for States that lack a full-service VA hospital. While I will continue to fight for improved and expanded facilities at our Manchester, New Hampshire, VA Medical Center, it is important to recognize that we have unique challenges in New Hampshire where we do not have a full-service hospital. I also want to speak to this: the provisions that expand the caregiver benefits provided to post-9/11 veterans to veterans of all eras are necessary and long overdue. I have heard repeatedly from Granite State veterans of eras prior to the global war on terror that the differences and benefits are simply unfair. The way these benefits are currently structured essentially pits veterans against veterans. That is unacceptable. I thank Chairman Roe for working with us on finding a way forward for family caregiver benefits. I am sure thousands of Granite State veterans will agree.…”