Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Last week, Chairman Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) appeared on Newsy’s “The Why” to discuss the implementation of the Forever GI Bill and his efforts to ensure that student veterans receive the housing allowances they deserve.

The Chairman started the interview by noting that while Congress may need to work with VA to change the law in order to best serve the nation’s veterans, until it is changed the law must be followed.

“I still think until the law is changed, you’ve got to follow the law.”

He continued on, and explained the importance of ensuring student veterans receive accurate payments.

"I want the money to be accurate. If it’s overpaid, OK, fine. We eat that. If you’re underpaid, I want you to get your money. That’s what we said would give you, we ought to give it to you.”

The Chairman then emphasized President Donald Trump’s desire to deliver on the promises made to student veterans.

"He wants this fixed, and he wants it done right. And the Congress has done that and we’re going to give the VA whatever support they need. We’ve asked them, ‘Do you need any more money? What do you need to do to get this right?’”

Chairman Roe then shared his personal connection to the veteran community and why he is so passionate about providing veterans the benefits promised to them.

“I saw how our men and women were treated after [the Vietnam War]. It was terrible. And I’ve got too many friends on the wall, who died for absolutely nothing. And I made a commitment to myself, I didn’t think too much about it. For years, I just went on with my life, raised my family.”

He went on and spoke about how Americans’ views towards servicemembers has changed for the better since his time in the military.

“And after Desert Shield and Desert Storm, I saw the country’s attitude change toward our Americans active duty military. They told me when I traveled, not to even travel in my uniform and many Vietnam veterans would tell you that. And so, that’s changed, it makes me proud. I travel a lot and obviously fly around the country with my job as Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee. People, I’m in airports, they don’t know who I am, but it makes me feel good when we announce it on the airplane, if you have an active duty – if you’re active duty military, have a military ID, you can get on the airplane first. I can tell you to this old veteran, it makes me feel pretty good to see that.”

Chairman Roe concluded by emphasizing the goal of the Committee.

“And I know all the programs are available. We’ll never get it all right. We’ll never make every program work exactly right, but I can tell you the intent of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee in the Senate and in the House is to do the absolute very best we can for our nation’s veterans.”

Watch the full interview here.