Senator Bob Corker released the following statement on the Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014 (S. 2450). A preliminary analysis by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that Title III of the bill, which would authorize and fund enhancements to several programs of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), alone would increase direct spending by more than $35 billion in the next three years.
“I value too much the sacrifice and service our veterans have given to our country to vote for a bill that was thrown together without any discussion by this body and increases the deficit by at least $35 billion.
“This bill is moving back to the House where I hope they will more thoughtfully address the serious issues that have been uncovered in the VA and ensure the bill is paid for in a way that does not burden future generations with crushing debt so I can support it when it comes back to the Senate.”