CVA Applauds Passage of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014
Leading Veterans Advocacy Group Shifts Focus to Administration Enforcement
Arlington, Va. – Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) applauds today’s overwhelming Senate passage (91-3) of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 as a tremendous victory for America’s veterans and their families. Following yesterday’s nearly unanimous vote by the House of Representatives, the passage of this historic piece of legislation represents a big first step toward finally reforming the troubled Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The passage is the culmination of a year-long grassroots effort by CVA to draw attention to the need for accountability for VA executives and private sector choice for veterans seeking care. The fact that such sweeping reform was approved by both houses of an otherwise gridlocked Congress is a testament to the strength and dedication that CVA and its allies brought to the relentless push for this legislation.
Pete Hegseth, CEO of CVA, issued the following statement in response to the passage of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act:
“Today is a great – and long overdue – day for America’s veterans and their families. After a long and difficult fight, Concerned Veterans for America is proud to say that the two transformational principles of reform we fought for from day one—accountability and choice—are in this bill.
“We have said all along that the VA doesn’t have a funding problem, it has a culture problem. As such, we do not support the additional spending that was included in the final compromise. But as we led the charge on instituting reform, CVA will remain vigilant to ensure that the law doesn’t turn into a blank check for the department.
“Once signed in to law by President Obama, it will be time for newly nominated VA Secretary Robert McDonald to use the authority granted him and take swift action to put veterans’ health over VA employee bonuses. As we led the charge on enacting VA accountability and choice, CVA will work tirelessly to make sure that he does so.
“CVA is grateful for the steadfast commitment of this bill’s champion, House VA Committee Chairman Jeff Miller. Without his and his staff’s leadership, this day could never have been realized. We’d also like to thank Senators John McCain, Richard Burr and Marco Rubio as well as Representatives Mike Coffman and David Scott for their co-sponsorship and tireless work since well before the scandal broke. We look forward to their continued support as the VA’s transformation begins.”
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To schedule a TV interview with Pete Hegseth, CEO of CVA, or other CVA experts, please email booking@guestbooker.com. For other media inquiries, contact Emily Laird at 571.302.0973 or email elaird@cv4a.org.
Concerned Veterans for America is a non-partisan, non-profit, 501(c)(4) organization that advocates for policies that will preserve the freedom and liberty we and our families so proudly fought and sacrificed to defend.