Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Ranking Member Bost, for introducing this legislation. I was proud to support it alongside my colleague, Tracey Mann, from the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee. It is the VA Transparency & Trust Act of 2021. Now, the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis turned our world upside down, and it hit our veteran community especially hard. The issues our veterans faced before the pandemic have only been exacerbated by COVID-19, and they contend with a new host of health and financial hardships. That is why I joined with many in this Chamber to strongly urge for support to our veterans in COVID-19 relief packages, including the American Rescue Plan. That plan provided a much-needed investment in the VA, but we must all work together to ensure that this funding is used effectively to support our veterans and to increase the quality care that they receive. As chair of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse, and ensuring veterans get the care they have earned is a top priority. This legislation would require the VA to report to Congress on the emergency funding that it has already received. It will provide the enhanced oversight that is warranted to ensure funds are being used efficiently and in ways that are truly meeting the needs of those who have served us all. Mr. Speaker, I urge swift passage of this legislation.”