[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 187 (Thursday, November 21, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H9126]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       GIVE VETERANS HEALTH COVERAGE FOR AGENT ORANGE CONDITIONS

  (Mr. HARDER of California asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. HARDER of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak 
directly to White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney.
  Recent reports suggest you personally intervened to stop Vietnam vets 
from getting healthcare, all just to save a buck.
  It sounds crazy, and it is. Thousands of veterans were affected by 
exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam war and deserve to have 
healthcare.
  The VA Secretary tried to add four medical conditions caused by Agent 
Orange to the list VA would cover, but Mick Mulvaney intervened to stop 
it.
  This issue is personal for me. My grandfather served in Vietnam, was 
exposed to Agent Orange, and died from lung cancer. Sadly, his story is 
not uncommon.
  I refuse to stand by and let other veterans die because they didn't 
get the healthcare they need. That is not who we are.
  Our veterans fought to keep us safe, and many sacrificed life and 
limb. The last thing they should have to do is come home to fight 
another battle for the healthcare they earned.
  There is still time to turn this around, Mick, and I beg you to 
reconsider.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to address their 
remarks to the Chair.

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