Executive Session

Floor Speech

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Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I am proud that today President Trump will sign into law a piece of legislation that I fought for called the VA MISSION Act.

This important legislation will help fix many of the problems plaguing the VA Choice Program and will work to ensure that our Nation keeps the promises it has made to our veterans.

This bill is badly needed.

Take Hank, for example, a Montana veteran. Last year it took him more than 3 months to get an appointment and then another month to get the glasses he needed. It was clear to him that the Choice Program representatives were completely unaware of the distance issues that Montana veterans have to deal with.

And it is not just Hank. All across Montana, we have heard about how the VA Choice Program has consistently fallen short. It has missed the mark. Payment delays take up to 8 months. In fact, sometimes we have bill collectors coming after our veterans for something they should not be responsible for.

Veterans suffer hours-long waits to talk with representatives about claims, and veterans get the runaround on receiving the most basic services. This is unacceptable.

Our veterans deserve better. That is why the bipartisan MISSION Act is so vitally important. It helps fix many of the problems our veterans still face as they try to access the healthcare services they need.

Rural veterans will get greater, easier, and quicker access to healthcare. Telemedicine services will be strengthened. The oversight of opioid prescriptions will be increased. There will be greater accountability in how companies like Health Net manage this new program. Finally, it will help the VA's medical professional shortage through scholarship and loan repayment programs for medical and dental students who commit to serving in the VA.

The problems plaguing the VA aren't just occasional news stories; they are the daily reality for Montana veterans.

Enough is enough.

Our Nation has a lot of work to do to fulfill the promises we have made to our veterans. The MISSION Act is an important step forward. I am proud I have helped get this bill across the finish line and on to President Trump's desk.

I look forward to honoring our veterans' service by standing with President Trump today as he signs this important bill into law.

Thank you.

Recognition of the Majority Leader

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