Senator Hassan Applauds Signing of Bipartisan VA Mission Act

Senator Also Raises Concerns About White House Attempts to Kill Bipartisan Plan to Fund the New Law 

WASHINGTON – Senator Maggie Hassan today applauded President Trump’s signing of the bipartisan VA MISSION (Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks) Act into law, but raised concerns about the reports from the Washington Post that the Trump Administration is working to kill a bipartisan plan to actually fund the legislation.

“The bipartisan VA MISSION Act is important legislation that strengthens the VA system, while also recognizing the importance of community-based care for veterans in places like New Hampshire that do not have a full-service VA hospital, and I am pleased that President Trump has signed this bill into law,” Senator Hassan said. “I was proud to support this bipartisan bill that provides expanded community-care options for New Hampshire veterans and aims to address issues with the VA Choice Program that I’ve heard about from veterans and providers in the Granite State. This bipartisan bill also includes key provisions that I’ve long-supported, including working to prevent substance misuse among veterans; making it easier for veterans to access telehealth care; expanding the VA caregiver programs to all veterans – regardless of when they served; and addressing workforce challenges at the VA.

“I am disappointed and concerned about reports that the White House is working behind closed doors to sink a bipartisan plan to fund this critical legislation,” added Senator Hassan. “There is bipartisan consensus that we must support our veterans, and I urge the President to join us as we continue working to build an even stronger United States of America that is ever worthy of the sacrifice of our brave veterans, service members, and their families. This bill is a positive step forward in those efforts, but we know that there is much more work to do to make progress for our veterans and to ensure that they receive the care that they need and have earned.”

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