U.S. Representative John Boehner
Bipartisan, House-Passed Emergency Veterans Bill Requires Immediate Senate Action

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) released the following statement calling on Senate Democrats to immediately take up and pass the Veterans Access to Care Act (H.R. 4810), which was approved by a 421-0 vote in the House today:

“With more than 57,000 veterans waiting for care, the VA crisis is nothing short of a national emergency and requires immediate action from both the House and Senate. The House has just passed, by a unanimous vote, legislation that gives any veteran who has been waiting for an appointment for more than 30 days the ability to get care outside of the broken VA system. These veterans have already waited too long for the benefits and treatment they have earned, and Senate Democrats should not force them to wait any longer.”

NOTE: House Republican leaders sent a letter to the White House last week urging President Obama to take immediate steps to begin addressing the VA crisis, including urging Senate Democrats to pass the Veterans Access to Care Act (H.R. 4810) as well as the VA Management Accountability Act (H.R. 4031). Read the full letter here.

After hearing from an overwhelming number of veterans from his district, Congressman Boehner last February and April sent letters to the VA Secretary seeking answers to the VA claims backlog.

Last July, Congressman Boehner was joined by Members of Congress from the Ohio delegation in a letter to the Secretary demanding from the VA a direct and transparent plan for addressing the VA backlog.

Ever since, Congressman Boehner has continued to press the VA and the administration on their commitment to our local veterans in Ohio.