TUCSON, AZ— Yesterday, President Trump announced the firing of Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin and the nomination of White House physician Dr. Ronny Jackson as his successor. In response, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva issued the following statement:

“Playing politics with the health care of our veterans so that select individuals and corporations can profit from their health issues is a new level of low—even for Trump. The decision to fire Shulkin is a blow to our veterans and is a victory for Trump’s Koch brother puppets who are seeking to privatize the VA. For months, these profiteers undermined Shulkin’s important reforms and peddled their privatization agenda that put the interests of wealthy Republican donors over the interests of our veterans.

“Those who are willing to put their lives on the line for this nation deserve better than this. Our veterans must not return from war only to face a battle at home for the health care they deserve. I urge my Senate colleagues to vigorously question Dr. Jackson and ascertain his views on privatizing the VA. If he chooses to side with Trump’s VA profiteers, I urge them to block his nomination.”