WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 6, 2018) – Earlier today, Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) joined President Trump in the Rose Garden at the White House as he signed the VA MISSION Act into law, legislation to extend the Choice Program for veterans and reform the VA so it is more efficient, effective, and accountable for our nation’s heroes. 

“For the nearly 70,000 veterans I represent in Eastern Washington, I’m grateful the VA MISSION Act is now law,” said McMorris Rodgers. “This is a critical step to move the VA closer to a 21st Century health care system that rolls out the red carpet for our veterans. By consolidating the VA’s multiple community care programs and temporarily extending the Choice Program, the VA Mission Act will help ensure our veterans get the care they have earned when they need it. It will also create a non-partisan process for reviewing the VA’s assets and infrastructure to make sure the VA isn’t squandering resources on unused or unnecessary facilities, and instead targets resources on improving care.

“Our nation’s heroes must be able to trust that the Department of Veterans Affairs is committed to its sole mission ‘to care for those who have borne the battle.’ This law will certainly help rebuild the trust that’s been broken by a bureaucratic system that has failed our veterans, but there’s more work that must be done. We need a permanent Veterans Affairs Secretary, and I’m urging the Senate to move swiftly to confirm President Trump’s nominee, Robert Wilkie. I’m glad this Administration has made it a priority to provide greater accountability, better management, and improved patient care at the VA. We need to have the right people in place so that this work can continue.”