On the recordMarch 9, 2017
I am so proud and so excited and so honored to be able to serve in the United States House of Representatives and to serve on the Veterans' Affairs Committee. I did not serve in the military, but now I have the amazing blessing of serving those who did serve to protect our freedom to keep us safe. I am filing my first piece of legislation today, and it is the Veterans, Employees and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2017. In my first hearing as chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, I heard with great concern, and even outrage, that some employees at the VA spend 100 percent of their time on union activity. Even physicians and nurses and folks who are hired to provide health care to our veterans, 100 percent of their time on union activity. The law says their activity and time on union activities should be reasonable and in the best interest of the public. I don't believe in west Texas, or any area around the country, that it is reasonable and in the best interest of the public to spend 100 percent of your time on union activity and not fulfilling the mission. And, in this case, it is protecting and serving and caring for our vets. ____________________
