WASHINGTON— This week, Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-02), Mark Takano (CA-41), and Mark Pocan (WI-02), introduced a resolution reaffirming congressional support for policies that benefit a robust and well-funded Veterans Health Administration and condemned efforts to weaken care through privatization efforts. Additionally, the resolution expressed support for the VA workforce, including the right to unionize.

“Our veterans have made countless sacrifices in service to our nation and deserve the best health care available to them,” said Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva. “Instead of auctioning off their care to the highest bidder, Congress should invest more money and craft better policies to ensure that the VA is adequately staffed and equipped with the resources they need to ensure exceptional treatment for the unique health needs of our veterans.”

“For years, I’ve kept on my desk a quote: ‘Because they have already paid the price, fight for veterans with all your might.’ We must honor our commitment to our veterans by delivering on the services we promised and expand VA funding to meet their needs. Our veterans deserve high quality, specialized care through the VA, not a private corporation built for profit. This administration’s attempts to gut VA employee rights and dismantle the VA through privatization undermines the promise we made to our veterans. We must fight with all our might to protect the VA and put the health of our veterans before profit,” said Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick.

“Our veterans deserve to have access to high-quality care, which is why we must combat the efforts of President Trump and Congressional Republicans to undermine and privatize VA,” said Rep. Mark Takano. “As Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, I will keep working to ensure that VA is well-funded and properly staffed to provide veterans with the best benefits and highest-quality care they deserve. This includes protecting VA workers’ rights to unionize to better serve our veterans. Congress must make it clear that we will not stand for efforts to profiteer off of veterans and their benefits.”

“At a time when we should be expanding services to veterans and increasing funding for the VA, the privatization of integral veterans’ services would be a massive step backwards for veterans across our country. We must ensure our veterans receive the highest quality care available to them and that has proven to be through the VA—not a private corporation. Simultaneously, this administration is attempting to gut the rights of the VA employees who care for these service members every day. This attempt to privatize veterans’ healthcare and erode workers’ rights to unionize is nothing but a cheap attempt to profit off the backs of those who served our country,” said Rep. Mark Pocan.

The full text of the resolution can be found here.

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