Press Releases

03.17.17 • Press Release

Ranking Member Walz Applauds Passage Of Bill To Improve VA’s Authority To Hire, Retain Physicians

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Today, House Committee on Veterans Affairs Ranking Member Tim Walz (MN-1) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 1367, “To Improve VA's Authority to Hire, Retain Physicians.” “Today, members from both sides of the aisle came together to pass valuable legislation that will improve the VA’s capacity to recruit, hire, and retain talented doctors as well as improve the VA’s ability to compete with non-VA medical facilities when it comes to attracting … Read More

03.16.17 • Press Release

Ranking Member Walz Introduces Provision To Improve, Expedite Accountability Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Today, House Committee on Veterans Affairs Ranking Member Tim Walz (MN-1) offered an amendment to H.R. 1259, the VA Accountability First Act, in order to protect frontline VA caregivers and whistleblowers while holding bad managers accountable. “There is not a single member of Congress who doesn’t believe in strengthening accountability at the VA; doing so is a critical step in ensuring veterans always come first and receive the highest quality of care available,” … Read More

03.08.17 • Press Release

Ranking Member Tim Walz Statement On HVAC Mark Up

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Today, House Committee on Veterans Affairs Ranking Member Tim Walz (MN-1) released the following statement after the Committee considered several bills for mark-up, including legislation that would increase VA accountability, improve the VA Choice program, and ensure that all veterans who are awarded Purple Hearts receive full G.I. Bill benefits. “Passing the Full GI Bill for Purple Heart Recipients is a key victory in the effort to ensure our veterans get the benefits … Read More

03.07.17 • Press Release

Ranking Member Tim Walz Examines VA Choice Program, Future Of Community Care For Vets

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Today, Ranking Member Tim Walz (MN-1) and the House Committee on Veterans Affairs examined the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Choice Program and the future of community based care for veterans. In doing so, the Committee explored the program’s history, strengths and weaknesses, and discussed what effective VA community care programs should look like going forward. The Committee received testimony from VA Secretary Dr. David Shulkin, who has made innovating … Read More

03.06.17 • Press Release

Ranking Member Tim Walz Statement on Marine Corps Photo Sharing Reports

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Tim Walz (D-MN) released the following statement on reports that an unknown number of current and former Marines posted explicit photographs of female service members and veterans online: “I am appalled by the actions allegedly carried out by some current and former members of the Marine Corps community who shared and commented on photos of their sisters-in-arms,” Rep. Walz said. “Despicable behavior like this … Read More

03.01.17 • Press Release

Ranking Member Tim Walz Issues Statement Following President’s Address To Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Tim Walz (D-MN) released the following statement following President Donald Trump’s first address to a Joint Session of Congress. “We owe each and every one of our veterans a debt of gratitude and respect, this is core value I believe President Trump and I both hold dear,” Rep. Walz said. “During his speech, Trump said he would ‘increase funding for our veterans’ while reaffirming our shared commitment to those … Read More

02.28.17 • Press Release

Ranking Member Tim Walz Welcomes New Staff Director and Deputy Staff Director

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Tim Walz (D-MN) released the following statement welcoming Raymond ‘Ray’ Kelley as the Democrats’ new Staff Director and Matt Reel as the Democrats’ new Deputy Staff Director. “It is my tremendous privilege and honor to welcome Ray and Matt into our organization,” Rep. Walz said. “Having both served in the military, Ray and Matt bring with them veterans’ perspectives as well as the experience necessary to ensure … Read More

02.27.17 • Press Release

Kuster, Walz Examine Drug Diversion Risks At VA

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations conducted a hearing on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) oversight of controlled substances and it’s Drug Free Workplace Program in VA medical facilities. HVAC Ranking Member Tim Walz (D-MN) and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Ranking Member Ann Kuster (D-NH) released the following statements: “The health and safety of our nation’s veterans is the foremost … Read More

02.15.17 • Press Release

Roe, Walz Statement on GAO Continuing to Categorize the Veterans Health Administration As High-Risk

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member Tim Walz (D-Minn.) released the following statements after the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) was kept on GAO’s High-Risk List: “As chairman, I take the findings of this report very seriously,” said Roe. “While this information is not new, it certainly underscores that the Veterans Health Administration has not made enough progress towards providing quality care for our … Read More

02.15.17 • Press Release

Ranking Member Walz Welcomes New Democratic Members To HVAC

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Tim Walz (D-MN) released the following statement after the House Committee on Veterans Affairs held a business meeting to welcome and formally assign Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (D-CT), Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA), and Congressman Kilili Sablan (D-MP) to HVAC Subcommittees. In addition, Congresswoman Esty was elected by her Democratic colleagues to serve as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Disability … Read More

02.15.17 • Press Release

Esty, Walz Examine National Work Queues Impact On Claims Processing

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Tim Walz (D-MN) and Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Ranking Member Designate Elizabeth Esty released the following statements after the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs conducted an oversight hearing examining how the National Work Queue (NWQ) has impacted VA’s capacity to process veterans’ claims. “Technology can and should help the VA speed up disability … Read More

02.14.17 • Press Release

Ranking Member Walz Congratulates Dr. David Shulkin After Being Confirmed As VA Secretary

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Tim Walz (D-MN) released the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm Dr. David Shulkin to be the next Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. “I extend my sincerest praise and congratulations to Dr. Shulkin upon his confirmation to be the next Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs,” Rep Walz said. “In his capacity as Under Secretary of Health at the VA, I was given the pleasure … Read More

02.14.17 • Press Release

Ranking Member Walz Applauds Passage Of Four Veterans Bills, Including BRAVE Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Tim Walz (D-MN) released the following statement after the House passed the BRAVE Act, along with three other pieces of bipartisan legislation designed to improve the lives of veterans across the US. “Today, Democrats and Republicans in Congress came together to demonstrate our deepest gratitude and respect to the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed on behalf of the United States,” Rep. Walz said. … Read More

02.10.17 • Press Release

Ranking Member Walz Addresses Information Technology Progress, Challenges At VA

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Today, Ranking Member Tim Walz (MN-1) and the House Committee on Veterans Affairs received testimony from leaders at the VA and GAO during an oversight hearing entitled, “Assessing the VA IT Landscape: Progress and Challenges.” “In order to provide our nation’s 22 million veterans with the care and service they deserve, it is imperative that the VA’s IT infrastructure be fully modernized; this is why I believe a clear and comprehensive IT modernization strategy is … Read More

02.02.17 • Press Release

Ranking Member Walz Sends Letter to Senate VA Committee on VA Sec. Nominee David J. Shulkin

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Ranking Member Tim Walz (MN-01) released the following statement after sending a letter to the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs regarding the February 1 confirmation hearing of Dr. David J Shulkin, nominee to be Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. “Dr. Shulkin’s distinguished career speaks for itself—running some of the largest health care systems in the nation, delivering quality health care and supporting groundbreaking medical research. In the … Read More

02.01.17 • Press Release

Ranking Member Walz Statement On First Full House Veterans Affairs Committee Meeting Of 115th

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Ranking Member Tim Walz (MN-01) released the following statement after the House Committee on Veterans Affairs held its first meeting of the 115th Congress: “This Committee has always served as an example of how members from both sides of the aisle can work together to accomplish great things, and how, working together, we can fulfill our promise to the men and women who have served our country,” Rep. Walz said. “I look forward to working with Chairman Roe, and all … Read More

01.31.17 • Press Release

Democratic Members of House Committee On Veterans’ Affairs Announce Vice Ranking Member, Subcommittee Ranking Members for 115th

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Democratic Members of the House Committee On Veterans Affairs voted to elect their Vice Ranking Member and Subcommittee Ranking Members for the 115th Congress. The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Tim Walz (D-MN) along with the newly elected Vice Ranking Member and Subcommittee Ranking Members released the following statements: “Over the past two Congresses, we have passed bills to benefit our nation’s veterans, their survivors, and their … Read More

01.30.17 • Press Release

Ranking Member Walz Statement On Executive Order

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Ranking Member Tim Walz (MN-01) released the following statement on President Trump’s immigration executive order: “Our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan depend on foreign interpreters who, at great risk to themselves and their families, help keep our troops safe. Often, in return for their service to our nation, we promise them and their families safe passage to the United States. President Trump’s refugee ban makes it illegal for these interpreters to come to the … Read More

01.26.17 • Press Release

Tester, Walz Lead 53 Members of Congress to Demand Trump Exempt Entire VA from Hiring Freeze

(U.S. Congress)—Ranking Members of the Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs Committees, Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Representative Tim Walz (D-Minn.), today led a group of 53 members of Congress to demand President Trump exempt the entire VA and all veterans seeking federal jobs from his executive order that freezes federal hiring. The members say Trump’s hiring freeze will have devastating impacts on veterans and their families. “A hiring freeze at the VA will delay veterans’ access … Read More

01.25.17 • Press Release

Tester, Walz Statement on VA Hiring Freeze

(U.S. Congress)— Ranking Members of the Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs Committees Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Representative Tim Walz (D-Minn.) issued the following statement today on President Donald Trump’s executive order to freeze hiring at the VA: “This executive order will make it harder for veterans to get in the door at the VA and receive the timely benefits to which they are entitled, and that is totally unacceptable. The VA is already struggling to keep the promises our … Read More

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