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Rep. Chip Roy Statement on Committee’s Embarrassing Legislation Mark-up

October 29, 2019

Rep. Chip Roy, Member of House VA Committee, Statement on Committee's Embarrassing Legislation Mark-up Today

"The VA Committee met today to mark-up – or amend and then vote on – 10 pieces of legislation on issues ranging from how we allow our Gold Star Families to be treated, the GI bill and benefits use, veterans suicide, veterans childcare, and 2nd amendment protections.

It is a shame that Chairman Takano would not allow basic parliamentary procedure to transpire, blocking any consideration of amendments to H.R. 3224, disallowing parliamentary inquiries, and disrespecting former Chairman, Ranking Member Dr. Roe. Of all the issues, those pertaining to our servicemembers and their families deserve the utmost respect and courtesy. These men and women give their all for our nation and our freedoms, and we won't even give them a normal debate or transparent process in return. This is not just for the sake of Washington pontificating. This mark-up is supposed to allow us to evaluate solutions to real problems like protecting children of veterans at childcare centers or how to guarantee veterans are not driven away from VA Care for fear of losing their second amendment rights should they be deemed eligible for certain VA benefits due to any degree of mental illness.

It is shameful that Democrats in the House hide from the People. They hide from debates on legislation we have taken steps to amend after a markup earlier this year on the 2nd amendment. They hide from votes on suspending certain childcare workers from having contact with children until adjudication of their case if charged with a crime involving a child. This is all part of the showboat of sham-governance and the House's slow slide into oligarchy where only those in power or on certain committees can have a voice or see the information in question or vote.

This is a sad day for our country when partisanship wins out over debating and legislating good policy for our nation's veterans. I thank Dr. Roe for his leadership on the Republican side of the committee aisle, and am encouraged by his continued rigor and respect for our work in the committee, our colleagues across the aisle, and most importantly, those who bore the burden of paying the ultimate sacrifice when called upon for our nation."