Political Quotes

“Next Monday is Memorial Day, a day when we remember the men and women who gave their lives defending our freedoms, a day to remember our solemn obligation to veterans. I rise today to speak about that obligation and about very troubling allegations that should outrage all of us, of sick veterans desperate for care, of secret scheduling lists, of mismanagement at Veterans Affairs medical centers, and of coverups and misuse of taxpayer funds. If true, this is a great disservice to our veterans. This is not quality care, it is betrayal. It is unconscionable, whether it is only one facility, such as the facility in Phoenix, or more, or in New Mexico and other facilities. For many people this story began in Phoenix, AZ, but I do not think it ends there. I asked Secretary Shinseki on May 8 to extend the investigation to cover the entire regional network, which includes Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. The next day Secretary Shinseki announced an audit of the VA nationwide. Today, the VA appropriations subcommittee marked up an important bill to fund the Department of Veterans Affairs and to address these allegations. I am thankful to Chairman Johnson and Ranking Member Kirk for including a key provision I requested to provide funding to expand the VA inspector general's investigation, and calling out New Mexico as one of the States that urgently needs the attention of the inspector general.…”