President Signs McConnell-Supported Veterans Bill Into Law

Press Release

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell applauded today's enactment into law of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014.

The legislation, which the President signed today, provides access to outside, private health care for veterans in the VA system who are unable to receive a VA appointment within 30 days and for those living over 40 miles from of the nearest VA medical facility. It also provides additional authority to fire VA bureaucrats for performance failures and it funds the hiring of new VA doctors and nurses in an effort to reduce appointment wait times.

"I was proud to support this legislation," Senator McConnell said. "When veterans are denied care, it's a priority deserving of bipartisan attention, and this legislation will help ensure the VA lives up to the promises that we made to our veterans. We owe them no less."

The following is background on Senator McConnell's work to help move this legislation through Congress and to assist the cause of VA reform:

-Sen. McConnell speaks about the VA scandal eight times on the Senate floor since May 2014

-Sen. McConnell votes for the Senate VA bill in June 2014

-Sen. McConnell sends a letter to former Acting VA Secretary Gibson in June 2014 relaying his concern over wait times at the Louisville and Lexington VA Medical Centers

-Sen. McConnell meets with VA Secretary McDonald in June 2014 prior to his confirmation

-Sen. McConnell speaks on Senate floor about importance of the VA compromise bill

-Sen. McConnell votes to confirm VA Secretary McDonald in July 2014

-Sen. McConnell votes for final passage of VA Conference Committee Report legislation

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