[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 13160]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               VETERANS' CARE AND CONGRESS' AUGUST RECESS

  (Mrs. BUSTOS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mrs. BUSTOS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge congressional 
leaders to keep the Senate and House in session and to forgo the August 
recess until both Chambers come together and pass compromise 
legislation to help our veterans get access to the timely and quality 
health care they have earned and deserve.
  In light of the serious allegations of wrongdoing within the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, in addition to unacceptably long wait 
times at the VA medical facilities, it is urgent that a fix be put in 
place now.
  Last month, both the Senate and House passed legislation that would 
expand veterans' ability to seek care at non-VA facilities under 
certain conditions, strengthen Congress' oversight of the VA, and 
eliminate performance-related bonuses for VA employees. Since then, the 
Conference Committee, tasked to work out a compromise between the two 
bills, has yet to do so.
  I know I speak for many when I say the health of the veterans who 
have served us so bravely should not be placed on hold while Congress 
is away in August. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in calling on 
Congress to stay in session until we do right by our veterans.

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