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WALZ SUPPORTS FEDERAL WATCHDOG AGENCY'S ROLE IN PROTECTING AND IMPROVING SERVICES FOR AMERICAN'S VETERANS
“The VA needs more resources and oversight to care for our veterans,” said Walz
For Immediate Release
March 7, 2008
Contact: Meredith Salsbery
507-388-2149
WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, Congressman Walz held a veterans forum in Mankato to report on legislation passed by the Congress in 2007, to update local veterans on issues he will advocate for in 2008, and to solicit ideas and concerns from area veterans. Walz stressed the important role the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) plays in protecting and improving benefits and services for America’s veterans. The Office of the Inspector General, which is the watchdog agency at the VA, is charged with improving efficiencies and preventing waste, fraud and abuse.
“I am honored to be serving my first term in Congress as a voice for Americas veterans,” said Walz, the highest ranking enlisted soldier to ever serve in Congress. “From listening to Mankato veterans today, it is clear to me that Congress needs to continue increasing the VA’s budget to meet our veterans’ needs while at the same time supporting the watchdog agency to ensure the taxpayers’ money is being spent responsibly and in the right areas.”
Walz continued, “I’ve never heard anyone say they disagree with providing high quality care for our veterans, but the President’s budget cuts funding for the one office at the VA that is charged with maintaining a high quality of care for our veterans. That doesn’t make sense to me and I’m fighting against it,” said Walz.
The VA Inspector General testified before Congress last month that by preventing waste, fraud and abuse at the VA, every dollar spent on his office saves the VA $11, which can then be put back into better care for our nation’s veterans.
In addition to ensuring the VA watchdog is able to operate effectively, Walz said his legislative priorities for 2008 include fully funding veterans’ benefits and health care services, improving long term care for veterans, streamlining military and VA medical records and enhancing rural veterans’ access to VA medical services.
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