[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 80 (Thursday, May 11, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2250]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      STOP MASK MANDATES AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS CLINICS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Montana (Mr. Rosendale) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ROSENDALE. Mr. Speaker, after 3 years of government overreach, 
which was blamed on COVID-19, we can all agree that the pandemic is 
over. The fact is, this very body passed H.R. 382 to end the national 
public health emergency, the Senate agreed, and the President signed it 
into law.
  The Biden administration is going so far as to allow title 42 to end 
at midnight tonight, removing the ability of our Border Patrol agents 
to turn immigrants away due to public health concerns.
  Yet, every week, I receive calls from veterans who are being denied 
care at VA health clinics across Montana over mask mandates. Let me 
repeat that. The pandemic is over, yet veterans are being denied 
medical care over mask mandates.
  Denying anyone, particularly a veteran, medical care over a personal 
decision is outrageous and violates the Hippocratic Oath.
  In March, I had the opportunity to question the individuals from the 
VA and sent them multiple letters over their mask mandates. They 
responded by allowing each clinic to set its own guidelines.
  Unfortunately, instead of eliminating masks, the Montana VA 
healthcare system doubled down and has dictated that every clinic in 
the State requires masks.
  In Billings, Iraq war veteran Travis Norby has consistently been 
denied care every time he walks into the local VA clinic. Is this the 
respect that we show our veterans after they have put their life on the 
line to protect our freedoms?
  First and foremost, we have a duty to ensure that our veterans have 
access to the medical care they need. It is not just a matter of 
obligation; it is a matter of respect and gratitude for the sacrifices 
that they have made. Denying veterans access to medical care over mask 
mandates is a betrayal of our Nation's core values.
  If we can agree that the pandemic is over, to the extent that the 
Biden administration is allowing title 42 to expire, then we must stop 
turning our back on our Nation's heroes and stop mask mandates at the 
VA health clinics.

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