Pelosi Statement on House Passage of Motion Directing VA Conferees to Agree to Senate Bill

Contact: Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement after the House passed the motion to instruct offered by Congresswoman Julia Brownley to direct the House conferees to the VA bill to agree to provisions in the Senate legislation.

"Today, the House sent a strong message to the Republican leadership blocking consideration of the urgently needed reforms in the Senate-passed VA bill. In passing the motion to instruct offered by Congresswoman Julia Brownley, the House has put itself on record in favor of expanded sexual assault survivor services and the comprehensive reforms of the Senate bill in its entirety.

"It is now clear that the Senate bill has the votes to pass the House. There is absolutely no reason our veterans should have to wait any longer. Speaker Boehner should bring the Senate legislation to the floor without further delay.

"Our service members have done everything asked of them – and done so with courage and excellence. Now it is time for the House to honor our most sacred promise to the men and women in uniform: that just as the military leaves no one behind on the battlefield, we will leave no veteran behind when they come home."

# # #