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  • 5 days ago
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.

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