Today, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, released the following statement after the Committee reauthorized the Women Veterans Task Force and passed 17 bills:
"This morning, the Veterans’ Affairs Committee came together to reauthorize the bipartisan Women Veterans Task Force and send more than a dozen bipartisan bills to help veterans and their families to the House Floor. The bills that were reported out of Committee today would improve access to dental, long-term, and reproductive care, support homeless veterans with children, expand education programs and adaptive housing, ensure that disability compensation keeps pace with the cost of living, require VA to research medical marijuana, and more."
"One of the bills that passed out of Committee is the VET TEC Expansion Act, to make it easier for student veterans to pursue careers in the in-demand technology sector. This bill is sponsored by Republican Leader McCarthy and I thank him for his unwavering support for the men and women who served our country proudly in uniform and go on to pursue the American dream as students, entrepreneurs, and business leaders."
"Another bill that the Committee passed today is one that I have introduced, the VA Family Leave Act of 2020, that would extend parental leave benefits to VA doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. I am proud to support those who are working hard to care for our nation’s veterans as their families grow."
"Unfortunately, the Committee also passed a bill that would put those same clinicians at-risk by requiring them to assist veteran patients in accessing medical marijuana in States where it is legal. I wholeheartedly support research regarding the safety and efficacy of marijuana for veterans. However, it is irresponsible and reckless to require VA doctors to assist their patients in using it before there is a demonstrated clinical benefit and so long as it’s use remains against Federal law. This bill would leave VA doctors vulnerable to criminal sanctions and veteran patients vulnerable to treatment options that have not yet been scientifically proven. I hope to continue working with my good friend and colleague, Chairman Takano, on this bill and on the others that our Committee passed this morning in the coming weeks."
To learn more about the bills that were passed out of Committee, click here.
