Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I rise today to speak on behalf of amendment No. 16, which will allow us to help the VA fulfill its responsibilities and truly be accountable to our veterans by hiring enough physicians and care providers so that we can meet the demands and the needs and the care that has been earned by these veterans. Today, by the VA's own admission, there are 43,000 authorized, funded, but unfilled positions in our community clinics and hospitals throughout the country. That means that veterans are waiting far too long and, in some cases, are not able to get in to receive that care that they have earned. This amendment would allow the VA to begin doing what everyone else in modern medicine in America is doing today, and that is recruiting effectively from this country's residency programs. Today, the VA is prohibited from talking to residents until they have completely completed their residency. As we all know, by that point, most of those residents have selected an employer, and that employer is not the VA. This brings us into line with every other Federal recruiting practice throughout the government and brings us in line with the private and other public sector employers against whom we are competing. I will note that this amendment is also sponsored by Ms. Stefanik of New York. It enjoys bipartisan support. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this. Lastly, Mr.…”