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National Defense

Wittman Votes to Restore Accountability to VA and Ensure Timely Care for Veterans

| Posted in Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) today supported bipartisan legislation to implement reforms at the Department of Veterans Affairs after reports surfaced earlier this year of excessive wait-times and misconduct at VA health facilities. The Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act (H.R. 3230) passed the House of Representatives by a…

Virginia Delegation Calls for Consideration of Joint Base Langley-Eustis for New Air Force Facility

| Posted in Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – In a joint letter, U.S. Senators Mark Warner, Tim Kaine and U.S. Congressmen Bobby Scott, Randy Forbes, Scott Rigell and Rob Wittman urged Secretary of the Air Force Deborah James to consider Virginia’s Joint Base Langley-Eustis as a location for the future Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center (AFIMSC). Locating the new facility there would help minimize…

Wittman Presses DoD on Decision to House Undocumented Aliens at Defense Installations

| Posted in Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Rob Wittman, Chairman of the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee, released the following statement today following a Readiness Subcommittee briefing titled, “Use of DoD Facilities to House Undocumented Aliens.” The briefing, which sought answers surrounding the Department of Defense’s agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)…

Wittman Applauds Passage of DOD Appropriations

| Posted in Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), Chairman of the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee, praised the passage of legislation to fund the Department of Defense (DoD). H.R. 4870, the DoD Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015, provides approximately $490 billion in discretionary budgetary authority for DoD, and includes an amendment authored by Wittman that prohibits…

Rob Wittman's Weekly Update

| Posted in Weekly Updates

During the Armed Services Committee hearing on Wednesday, I asked simply, “What happens to these detainees after a year?” The answer is clearly not that simple. The intelligence we currently have on these individuals – and the data on the chances of them returning to the battlefield – indicate significant, unjustifiable risk.

Wittman: Concerns Remain After Hagel Testimony

| Posted in Press Releases

​Washington, D.C. – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) released the following statement after Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel testified before the House Armed Services Committee on the Administration’s recent decision to release five senior Taliban leaders from the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay: “Even after this lengthy hearing, I remain concerned about the rationale…

Wittman Supports Legislation to Provide Flexibility for Veterans Facing Excessive Wait-times

| Posted in Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) today released the following statement after supporting House passage of H.R. 4810, the Veteran Access to Care Act of 2014: “Today’s overwhelming passage of the Veteran Access to Care Act is a good step forward in addressing the unacceptable treatment many of our veterans have been experiencing within the Department of Veterans…

Wittman Statement on the Resignation of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki

| Posted in Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) made the following statement on the resignation today of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki: “Today’s resignation by VA Secretary Shinseki is the first step in holding this Administration and those responsible accountable for the unacceptable treatment of our nation’s veterans. There is much more that must be done to reform…

Wittman Statement on the Veterans Health Administration Interim Report

| Posted in Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) made the following statement on the report released today by the VA Office of the Inspector General: “After reviewing the Veterans Health Administration Interim Report on the Phoenix Health Care System, I have lost confidence in Secretary Shinseki’s ability to effectively lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Though I deeply respect…

Wittman Votes to Rein in NSA and End Bulk Collection of Americans' Records

| Posted in Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) voted for legislation today to rein in the National Security Agency (NSA) and end the bulk collection of U.S. citizens’ data by the government. Wittman is a cosponsor of H.R. 3361, the USA FREEDOM Act, which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 303-121. “Congress must carry out its critical oversight role to ensure that…