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"The excessive wait times at the VA are outrageous, and Veterans deserve an alternative when they are subjected to an unreasonable delay in access to care. This is about providing the Veteran with choice. This bill provides deserving heroes with that choice, if the VA doesn't meet the standards for timely access to care.
"I have spent the past several months participating in oversight hearings in Washington regarding the failures of the VA throughout the country. Having spent a great deal of time at facilities in our community over the last several years, I know that there are many wonderful public servants working at our local VA offices.
"The Obama Administration's proposed greenhouse gas regulation for existing fossil fuel power plants, particularly coal-generated plants, not only threatens our fragile economy and our energy independence, but promises to make it harder for Americans to make ends meet. When it comes to regulations, there must be an appropriate balance between necessity and burden.
"I have spent the past several months participating in oversight hearings in Washington regarding the failures of the VA throughout the country. Having spent a great deal of time at facilities in our community over the last several years, I know that there are many wonderful public servants working at our local VA offices.
"Secretary Shinseki has honorably served this nation, but given the recent revelations about the VA's lack of care – such as examples of secret wait lists and excessive delays in care for Veterans – I believe it is appropriate for the Secretary to resign.
"Secretary Shinseki has proudly served this nation in the U.S. Armed Forces, but following the Inspector General's interim report, which identifies more alarming allegations, I call upon the General to step down for the sake of our veterans.
As Vice-Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, I am dismayed at the recent allegations of bureaucratic misconduct, which may have attributed to the deaths of veterans who were stuck waiting for care within the VA.
Tourism and travel employ over one million Floridians. In recent years, tourism to Florida has resulted in more than $70 billion for its economy. According to VISIT Florida, every 85 visitors to our state results in a new job created.
"Given the recent atrocities at the Phoenix VA system, as well as other VA facilities across the country, I am extremely pleased to see this legislation pass by such an overwhelming margin. Senior management in the VA oversee and manage the hospitals where veterans are dying because of secret wait lists and unreasonably long waits to access care.
"I am extremely pleased to see my legislation included in the NDAA this year. The Space Available Program allows active duty military and their families, as well as some retired members of the armed services to travel on military aircraft if space is available.