Hoyer Statement on House Passage of Legislation to Help End the VA Backlog

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) released the following statement tonight after voting in support of H.R. 2189, a bill to establish a commission to evaluate the backlog of disability claims of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill passed the House with strong bipartisan support:

"I'm pleased the House voted today in support of a bill to establish a commission to evaluate the VA backlog, analyze possible improvements, and submit solutions to Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki. While we've seen the VA take positive steps to address the backlog here in Maryland, including deploying additional resources to the Baltimore Regional Office, we still have more work to do to ensure that veterans in Maryland and across the country receive their benefits in a timely manner and with fewer errors.

"We have an important obligation to our veterans and their families, and I will continue working with the Administration, the Maryland Congressional Delegation, veterans service organizations, and others to ensure we meet that obligation and end the unacceptable backlog of disability claims. I encourage the Senate to take up this bill and pass it with the same bipartisan support it received in the House."