Working to End VA Delays

Last Wednesday, I spoke on the House floor about problems with VA system and shared a story about a veteran from our home who lost his life do to VA delays. To watch my statement click here.

After hearing about the continued abuse and delays occurring in the VA I decide to make a stand this week on the House floor to demand change and accountability from the VA. Before I went to the floor I received a letter from a woman in our district whose husband’s heart surgery was delayed by the VA and he passed away as a result. This is heartbreaking and unacceptable.

I called on President Obama to guarantee that there is an effective Secretary of Veterans Affairs, who will keep the VA from allowing delays to harm veterans. It is obvious that under the current leadership of Secretary Eric Shinseki veterans are suffering, and that is not acceptable. With all the stories about scandals in the VA, I think it is time for a full investigation. I have requested that the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee look into this matter to find the answers the American public needs. In addition to the media reports of delays in treatment and medical care at a VA hospital in Phoenix, Arizona that led to the deaths of dozens of veterans, and reports that VA officials encouraged hospital employees in Phoenix and Fort Collins, Colorado to lie about the treatment time for veteran patients, I have received numerous calls about problems with the VA here in Texas.

Since I took office I have asked veterans to contact my office with problems they were having with the VA. Over this time my office has been able to help out a lot of veterans, and if these allegations of fraud in the VA are true I want to help veterans fight. If you suspect a veteran is not being treated appropriately by the VA please let me know. We will do what we can to help.

I believe we need a VA focused on caring for the brave Americans who served our country, not one focusing on meeting quotas to earn bonuses.