Press Releases

Today, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, released the following statements after the Subcommittee held its first Virtual Forum:

“It is baffling and disappointing, to say the least, that today’s forum was held virtually, despite the House being in session and voting this afternoon,” said Ranking Member Roe. “The Committee has a constitutional responsibility to conduct oversight on behalf of the American people, most significantly our nation’s veterans. Conducting in-person hearings with key witnesses on important issues, such as the one that was discussed today, is an irreplaceable part of our work and costly, complicated virtual forums are a poor substitute for it. As Subcommittee Ranking Member Bost, other Republican Committee Members, and I clearly demonstrated today by participating in the forum from the Committee’s hearing room in the Capitol Visitors Center, the Committee can safely meet in-person and fulfill our constitutional obligations while complying with public health precautions. By failing to do so, the Committee is doing a disservice to the millions of veterans we were sent to Washington to serve.”

“This afternoon, Republican members of our subcommittee demonstrated that Congress can balance safety and duty, just as we’ve done through previous times of war, terrorism, dangerous weather, and threats to public health,” said Rep. Bost. “Our nation’s veterans sacrificed so much in defense of our freedoms, and we have a duty to ensure they are taken care of once they return home from battle. I’m disappointed that House Democrats decided to hold this forum today from the comfort of their living rooms, rather than conveying a message of solidarity with the millions of Americans who are safely going to work during this challenging time. The expectations of the People’s House should be no different than they are for the people themselves.”