Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott issued the following statement on his No vote on H.R. 5620, the VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016: “Once again, Republicans have put forward a bill that fails to address the systemic issues the VA is facing, such as the disability appeals claim backlog and doctor, specialist, and nurse staffing shortages. Instead, this bill makes it easier to fire rank-and-file VA employees, who under current law can already be fired for cause. Due process protections for civil service employees began well over a century ago to protect employees from arbitrary and political firings.

RICHMOND, VA – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement in commemoration of Veterans Day: “Veterans Day is a time to honor our men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, to demonstrate our appreciation for the sacrifices our veterans have made, and to promote peace so that their sacrifices will not have been in vain. “And while we spend this day saluting their service, we must recommit ourselves to ensure that when our veterans return home, they are cared for and are able to successfully transition back into civilian life. We can do this by making sure that the Department of Veterans Affairs is held accountable and has the necessary resources to recruit and hire the best doctors, specialists and nurses to meet increased demand.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after his “NO” vote on the passage of H.R. 3236, the Surface Transportation & Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act, in the House of Representatives: “Dressing up a short term extension of the Highway Trust Fund with an important V.A. bill does not overcome the importance of enacting a long term, six-year transportation reauthorization that provides the certainty states and local governments need to plan transportation projects.

By Bill Bartel, The Virginian-Pilot Hampton Roads' congressional delegation, who all favor the VA overhaul, commented Thursday about the bill's status and the financing debate: U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, Newport News Democrat: Scott said the financing problem goes back to Congress's decision last year to keep intact the so-called Bush tax cuts, preventing the government from collecting $3.9 trillion in revenue over ten years. "My feeling is the veterans' health care would take priority over a $3.9 trillion tax cut," Scott said. "We have been going along for decades with many members finding no relationship with services provided and the budget."