Press Releases

Today, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which includes a total of $19.6 billion for VA to protect both veterans and healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic:

"As a nation, we are in unchartered waters in the fight against this deadly virus,” said Roe. “Millions of veterans across the country are concerned about their own health and well-being and that of their families. Hundreds of thousands of VA employees are working day and night, sometimes at personal risk, to protect those veterans and to continue providing the high-quality care, benefits, and services that they rely on. With the passage of this bill, we assure them that their leaders are standing with them ready, willing, and able to deliver the support they need to prevail against this invisible enemy. This legislation provides essential medical and protective supplies and equipment to VA workers, medical facilities, and State Veterans Homes. It safeguards the benefits that veterans earned. It strengthens VA’s ability to care for veterans virtually through telehealth. It supports VA employees working overtime and from home. And, it allows needed flexibility to ensure that veterans with limb loss, veterans who are homeless or housing insecure, and veterans with mental health concerns are taken care of throughout this crisis. I applaud my colleagues in the House and Senate for coming together to provide the relief that the American people and her veterans are counting on and am proud to support this bill today."

To learn more about the funding for VA that is included in the CARES Act, click here.