[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H3590]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THE NEXT VA SECRETARY

  (Mr. BANKS of Indiana asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BANKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of our 
Nation's veterans.
  Over the last 16 months, this Congress and President have made 
tremendous progress for the men and women who have served our country 
in uniform. Congress passed and the President signed into law the 
largest expansion of GI benefits since World War II: appeals reform, 
the Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, and several other 
important bills.
  As a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I have been 
proud to author legislation and contribute to these initiatives on 
behalf of Hoosier veterans. But there is still so much more to do for 
our veterans and to address many of the longstanding issues within the 
VA, which is why it is absolutely vital that our next VA Secretary has 
the experience and commitment needed to build upon the progress that we 
have already made.
  Our veterans have made tremendous sacrifices to keep our Nation free 
and secure, and they deserve the highest quality of people serving at 
the VA. Today, I urge the Trump administration to nominate a VA 
Secretary committed to making important reforms and serving our 
Nation's heroes who have served us so well.

                          ____________________