Newsletter: Scandalous
Statement
From backlogs to cover-ups, Wisconsin Veterans have made headlines both locally and nationally this week. While one of the President's former top lieutenants claims that this Administration has been scandal free, the manner in which many of our Veterans have been treated is, in a word, scandalous. Fortunately, by shedding light on some of the issues, I was able to make headway for one of our Veterans this week, and promise to remain on top of the issue for the many others who still need answers -- and action -- from the VA.
Who Is Looking Out for the Veterans? This week, during a delegation roundtable I hosted with my Wisconsin colleagues and VA officials, I talked about a constituent I have been working with for almost a year, Gary. He has been told that it will likely not be until 2017 before his VA appeal will be heard. The officials at the meeting assured me they would look into Gary's case, for which I am glad, but that still leaves much work to be done for the thousands of Veterans who share Gary's predicament. I spoke with KDLH in Duluth about the current situation.
It's a scandal: In the case of on-going allegations of patient mistreatment at the Tomah VA we are looking for accountability- from lawmakers and from the very doctors entrusted with the care of our Veterans. However, some people involved with the matter have been less than forthcoming about what they knew and when they knew it. This has made this scandal that much bigger and has taken the focus off of what is going on at the Tomah VA and the deaths of the men and women who raised their hands to serve our country. I spoke about the issue on Fox's "The Kelly File".
Let's Get Political: Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen made her first appearance of the year before the House Financial Services Committee on Wednesday. I asked the Chair about recent statements she made that have led some to believe that she is politicizing the historically non-political Federal Reserve.
I cited a speech Chair Yellen delivered two weeks before the 2014 elections in which she spoke about the politically divisive, and typically left-leaning, topic of income inequality.
Artistic Discovery: We are now accepting submissions for the 2015 Congressional Art Competition. The competition is open to high school students who live in Wisconsin's 7th District. The winning piece will hang in the Unites States Capitol and the winning artist will also receive a trip for two to Washington D.C. for the official unveiling ceremony.
Make sure you are also following me on Facebook and Twitter to stay-up-to-date with the latest on all the big issues from Washington and the 7th District. Thank you for the continued privilege of representing you in Congress. Until next week
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