Roberts Report: Answers for Veterans Care, Honor Flight, ObamaCare Watchdog and More

Statement

Demanding Answers on Veterans Care

As the son of a veteran, a veteran myself, and the most Senior Marine in the Congress, I am demanding answers regarding medical care at our VA facilities.

This week, I wrote to the Acting Inspector General of the VA regarding disparities of information presented to me during a meeting at the Robert J. Dole Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Wichita and a fax that followed the meeting with contrary information. This information concerned the treatment and status of veterans needing in-home care that were managed on a list "unauthorized" by the VA. As a result, veterans were placed at risk. Likewise, we have just learned that the VA facility in Kansas City, Missouri also had a "secret" list that placed veterans at risk. This is a rapidly unfolding problem.

At this point, I believe the situation demands a special investigation that only an Inspector General has the ability to perform. It's very clear we need complete transparency so that we can identify veterans who need further care. This must be done immediately. Once we care for our veterans, we must address the overarching issues that led to unauthorized or "secret" waiting lists. We are looking at multiple legislative measures to address these failures.

Our veterans have given so much to our nation protecting freedom both at home and abroad, and they deserve to be treated with the highest level of respect and care when they return home.

Honor to be with the Honor Flight

It was a special honor to spend time with the inspiring Kansas veterans at this week's honor flight from North Central Kansas. I had the chance to talk with these vets about the VA situation, and assured them I will work tirelessly to ensure that our VA system is turned around and earns back the trust of our veterans. I thanked them for their service to our nation. It is always such a privilege to greet these patriots.

The Exchange of Sgt. Bergdahl

This week, we were met with news of the return of America's last missing/captured soldier in Afghanistan, Sgt. Bergdahl, who was exchanged for the release of five detainees from Guantanamo Bay. I strongly believe in the bond that makes our military force the greatest in the world, the ethos of never leaving a soldier behind. For the past 21 months, I have had deep concerns that this bond was broken by this President and his handling of the Benghazi terrorist attacks.

If the Administration has had a true change of heart in its belief in the leave no man behind creed, it begs the question, why did this President ignore the law, circumvent Congress, and proceed on his own agenda without any oversight or approval in regard to the exchange for Sgt. Bergdahl?

Clearly, this President is no stranger to ignoring the will of Congress, but it is time he understood that the Constitution ensured a special balance between the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches to ensure tyranny never ruled America again.

The release of these five prisoners is yet another example of the Obama Administration's failed foreign policy. This is the President's latest attempt to close Guantanamo Bay, something I have opposed from the start when he attempted to move terrorists to Leavenworth, Kansas. Two of the detainees have been accused of wartime atrocities including massacres, and we are supposed to believe we will not see them on the battlefield again?

Last night, I attended a classified briefing held by the Administration. Unfortunately, I exited that briefing as frustrated as I entered. There were no comments made that haven't been made in the press, nothing enlightening or forthcoming.

The President's National Security Council "B' team continues to tell us that their number one commitment was to never, under any circumstances, leave a man behind. This is clearly false, given what happened in Benghazi.

The Administration refused to answer why they negotiated to the terrorists' demands, providing five of their most valued detainees while we still have troops on the ground for at least another year. They also failed to explain how they had time to plan a White House Garden Press Conference, but not time to notify Members of Congress -- as required by law. This issue is far from over and I promise to provide timely updates and answers as we have them from the Administration.

We Need an Obamacare Watchdog Until We Can Fully Repeal It

This week I introduced a bill to create a Special Inspector General to oversee Obamacare, which is costing the American public nearly $2 trillion. This monstrous law is so far reaching that it is difficult to find a federal agency that doesn't have a hand in the pot.

While all of the federal agencies charged with implementing Obamacare have their own Offices of the Inspector General, they are all investigating this law in their own silos. The Health and Human Services Inspector General isn't talking to the Treasury IG, or the Department of Labor IG, or the Homeland Security IG.

My bill, the Special Inspector General for Monitoring the Affordable Care Act, would create a new Special Inspector General. Think of it as an Obamacare watchdog -- with all the appropriate authority to investigate and audit any programs or activities related to Obamacare across the numerous federal departments, state exchanges, and private contractors in its scope. It would be paid for by already existing HHS funds - no new dollars need be spent.

I believe we need to do everything possible to repeal and replace this law with real health reforms that lower costs and restore the all-important relationship between a patient and their doctor. However, as long as this law is on the books -- we need a watchdog to investigate the implementation of this law.

EPA Power Grab Threatens Economy, Energy Independence and Middle Class Families

The latest announcement of more draconian EPA regulations from the Obama Administration threatens not only our nation's stated goal of energy independence, but every middle class family struggling to make ends meet. I'll use every legislative tool to fight this shortsighted proposal, including supporting legislation to prevent the EPA from finalizing this rule, and limiting funding through the appropriations process.

The Obama Administration's latest end run around Congress has been estimated by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to cost 224,000 U.S. jobs on average every year through 2030. These regulations would also increase electricity costs by $289 billion and lower households' disposable income by $586 billion through that same period.

Kansans, already burdened by Obamacare and still struggling in the Obama economy, simply can't afford this agenda driven EPA overreach. Worse still, by the Obama Administration's own admission, these regulations and any unilateral action by the United States would have a negligible impact on global temperatures. As long as large developing countries like Russia, China, India, and Brazil continue increasing their carbon emission on an annual basis, anything we do will be inconsequential. This proposal amounts to all pain and no gain.

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