DeLauro Statement on House Republicans’ Failure to Protect Veterans

House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) today released the following statement on House Republicans’ refusal to protect veterans:

“For six hours during the Rules Committee meeting last night, I told House Republicans that veterans had no protections whatsoever in their debt default bill. Given the look on their faces, I believe I was the one to inform them of the immediate $2 billion rescission that robs veterans of timely access to health care services. I do not think they know what is in their own bill.

“You know what they did after six hours of debate? Nothing for veterans.

“You know what they did after hearing from dozens of veteran and military service organizations about the lack of protections in the bill? Nothing for veterans.

“In the middle of the night, they made last-minute changes to win over Republican holdouts. You know what they did after going back to the drawing board? Nothing for veterans. Nothing to fix the $2 billion rescission. Nothing to protect veterans from the 22 percent cuts. Nothing to maintain our commitment to veterans who have been exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.

“This is shameful. This default and cuts bill should not even come to the floor for a vote. Our veterans sacrificed for us. We owe them the benefits they have already earned.”

Letters from veteran and military service organizations can be found here. Information on how this bill harms veterans can be found here. The letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs highlighting the impacts of harmful cuts on veterans can be found here.