Vote Explanation

Floor Speech

Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I wish to state for the record my strong support for S. 2450, the Veterans' Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014. I also wish to state for the record that, though I was unfortunately already traveling to my son's high school graduation in Oregon at the time the vote was called, I would have voted aye on this legislation had I been present.

I was among the original cosponsors of this bill because I believe strongly that the VA system must do right by our veterans. Our veterans have stood up for us, and we must stand up for them.

Recent reports highlight the urgent need both for greatly increased accountability within the VA health system and for greater resources to meet the needs of increasing numbers of veterans who are turning to the VA for health care. The current situation of extremely long wait times--and in some cases, secret waiting lists--is 100 percent unacceptable and must be fixed. Those who are responsible for these failings or any efforts to cover them up should swiftly lose their jobs. If they broke the law, then they should be prosecuted as well. Going forward, we must ensure that the VA system has the doctors and the resources it needs to give our vets the timely, top-notch care they deserve.

This bill gives the VA the power both to fire the administrators who need to be held accountable and to hire the additional doctors and nurses needed to improve the system. In addition, it contains a bipartisan provision I have worked on with Senator Heller to expand education benefits for spouses of servicemembers who die in the line of duty. These are important improvements for our veterans and their families, and I am proud to support them.

I am very pleased to see this legislation move forward. I wish to once again state again my strong support, and I urge the House to take up and pass this bill without delay.

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