Ann Marie Buerkle: “I thank the chairman. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2074, as amended, the Veterans Sexual Assault…”

“I thank the chairman. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2074, as amended, the Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention and Health Care Enhancement Act. H.R. 2074, as amended, includes several worthy legislative proposals brought forth by the Members from both sides reflecting the subcommittee's oversight and activities to date. This bill would create a safer Department of Veterans Affairs health care system, allow for greater flexibility in VA payments to State Veterans homes, break down barriers to care for veterans with traumatic brain injury, clarify access rights of service dogs on VA property, and expand an innovative therapeutic option for veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress. Section 2 of the bill would require the VA to develop a comprehensive policy on the prevention, monitoring, reporting, and tracking of sexual assaults and other safety instances at VA facilities. I, along with the chairman, introduced this measure in response to a disturbing report issued by the Government Accountability Office in early June of this year regarding the prevalence of sexual assaults and other safety instances on VA property and the very serious safety vulnerabilities, security problems, and oversight failures by VA leadership. Abusive behavior like the kind documented by GAO is unacceptable in any form, but for it to be found in what should be an environment of caring for our honored veterans is simply intolerable.…”