Political Quotes

“My colleagues, I know that the House shares my deep concern over the backlog of benefit claims at the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is nothing short of a black eye for our government. This country has made promises that it is our duty to keep, and the House has acted to tackle this problem. Even so, reform won't get very far if it is carried out by managers who have proven that they are not up to the job. So we recently introduced H.R. 4031, the VA Management Accountability Act. This measure gives the VA Secretary the authority to fire and demote officials who aren't performing. The principle here is simple. When you are not getting the job done, you have got to go. At the VA, it has been quite the opposite. For all the incompetence we have seen and all the lives that have been lost, the evidence shows there has been no accountability. Only half-measures and little slaps on the wrist. At any agency that has fallen down on the job this would be unacceptable. But to have it happen in the health care system for America's veterans? I think it is shameful. The VA is failing our veterans and their families. It is time we hold these people accountable and get people in there who can fix this backlog once and for all. I am going to applaud Chairman Miller and the Veterans Affairs' Committee for their leadership. I am pleased this legislation has already picked up the support of several veterans' organizations.…”