[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 78 (Thursday, May 22, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E820]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      MEDIA IGNORES THAT THE ADMINISTRATION KNEW ABOUT VA PROBLEMS

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                            HON. LAMAR SMITH

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 2014

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, America's brave men and women in 
uniform come home from military service only to find severe wait times 
to receive the medical care they have earned.
  Recent reports claim that Veteran Affairs officials in various 
states, including my home state of Texas, have falsified medical 
appointment data to conceal these long wait times.
  This is dishonest, deceptive, and harmful to veterans.
  But ignored for weeks by the liberal national media is that the Obama 
Administration has long known about these extensive wait times.
  According to documents received by the Washington Times, the Bush 
Administration warned the Obama Administration about the prolonged wait 
times for our veterans in 2008--six years ago.
  But you wouldn't know this if you watched NBC or ABC. Or read many 
media publications.
  The media owes it to the American people, and to our veterans, to 
give them all the facts.

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