Hoyer Statement on President Obama Signing Veterans Bill Into Law

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after President Obama signed into law legislation to improve veterans’ access to health care: 

"I was pleased to be on hand today as the President signed a bipartisan bill to ensure that our veterans receive the timely, quality health care they have earned through their service. This law is an important step to ensure that veterans who have endured long waits or who live in rural areas can access the health care they need.

"I am disappointed that the law signed today includes provisions that undermine civil service protections by making it easier to remove senior federal employees without the due process review currently in place. At the same time, swift action is necessary, and I am glad that Democrats and Republicans were able to come together to address this issue. I continue to support the Administration's efforts to hold VA officials accountable and to ensure that the inappropriate and unacceptable actions taken at the VA are not repeated."