'These Cuts Are Coming At Exactly The Wrong Time': Frank Mrvan Sounds Alarm Over GOP VA Funding Cuts

Forbes Breaking News

During debate on the House floor, Rep. Frank Mrvan (D-IN) rose in opposition to HR 3944, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026.

Transcript

00:00Gentleman is recognized. Thank you ranking member. As an elected official one of the

00:05greatest honors of my career has been standing shoulder to shoulder with

00:08veterans of Northwest Indiana. I've worked tirelessly to ensure they receive

00:12the world-class care and benefits they have bravely earned in service to our

00:16nation. Indiana's first congressional district is home to nearly 40,000

00:20veterans. Every single day I fight to ensure that the Department of Veteran

00:24Affairs fulfills its sacred promise to those who wore the uniform. That means

00:28making sure the VA has the staffing, resources, and funding necessary to

00:33deliver the high quality care for the heroes they deserve. It is with deep

00:37regret and strong conviction that I oppose this proposal because it fails our

00:42veterans. It fails to meet the obligations we owe and those who

00:46answered the call of duty. In particular I have heard the voices of veterans and

00:50their families in Northwest Indiana. Voices filled with concern and fear. They

00:55are worried that the cuts to VA staffing will strip away access to critical care

00:59and essential services. We cannot and must not allow that to happen. Our nation

01:04made a made a promise. We must honor it with action and non-empty words. I've also

01:10heard from veterans who have continued their mission of service by joining the

01:13federal workforce only now to face uncertainty about their future. These

01:17patriots who once defended our freedoms now work to uphold the very

01:21institutions they once served in uniform. Nearly 30% of the federal workforce is

01:26made up of veterans cutting staff. It just doesn't jeopardize care. It threatens the

01:30job and the livelihoods and those who have already sacrificed so much for this

01:34country. I stand ready for the debate ahead and let's be clear these cuts are

01:40coming at exactly the wrong time. Instead of reducing services we should be

01:44expanding them in the wake of the honor of the PAC Act. Veterans exposed to toxic

01:47toxic substances deserve swift justice. Right now the average time processing

01:54claim is 165 days. Over 2.3 million claims have been submitted and more than

01:596,000 of those veterans are right in my district in Indiana's first

02:02congressional district. That number represents hope and progress. I have to

02:08ensure and uphold a duty of brave men and women who have served and I yield back my

02:14time.

Category

Transcript

Recommended