Congressman Walter Jones Takes Action | Eastern North Carolina Now

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Jones Blasts Obama for Bypassing Congress to Release Detainees

    WASHINGTON, D.C.     Today, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) expressed strong concern regarding President Barack Obama's decision to break the law and bypass Congress to transfer five Guantanamo detainees in exchange for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. In a letter signed by seven members of the House of Representatives, Congressman Jones called on the president to declassify as much information as possible surrounding the detainees so that the American people can fully evaluate the risk posed by the transfer.

    "This is just one more example of President Obama ignoring the authority of the legislature," said Congressman Jones. "The American people deserve to be as informed as possible regarding the risk incurred through the president's blatant disregard for our nation's laws."

    The signers of the letter make it clear that they understand that some information regarding the detainees must remain redacted, but that "much of this intelligence is over a decade old and does not present a threat to current U.S. sources and methods" and thus should be released to the public.

Jones Votes to Increase Veteran Access to Care

    WASHINGTON, D.C.     Today, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) voted in favor of legislation to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides timely, high-quality healthcare to America's veterans. The Veteran Access to Care Act of 2014 (H.R. 4810) would require the VA to provide non-VA care authorization to veterans who meet certain criteria – specifically, those who live more than 40 miles from a VA medical facility, who have not received an appointment within the established goal wait-time, or who choose to receive non-VA care after being notified that an appointment at a VA facility will not be available within the goal wait-time period. The VA also must reimburse non-VA providers at whichever reimbursement rate is the highest out of VA, Medicare, and TRICARE. These requirements would remain in place for two years.

    Furthermore, the bill mandates the VA to undergo an independent assessment of the care provided in VA facilities and report the findings of the assessment to Congress. All performance awards and bonuses would be eliminated for VA employees for fiscal years 2014 through 2016.

    "It is clear that the VA has fallen woefully short in its mission to provide each and every veteran with the high standard of physical and mental care that they deserve," said Congressman Jones. "After all of the sacrifices our service members have made for us, ensuring that the VA works effectively for them is the least that we can do. The reforms included in this legislation are an important step in reducing the VA backlog and providing timely healthcare for America's heroes."

    Congressman Jones is a cosponsor of H.R. 4810, which unanimously passed the House. He also cosponsored the Department of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act (H.R. 4031) and the Demanding Accountability for Veterans Act (H.R. 2072), both of which were recently passed by the House.


    Sarah Howard
      Communications Director

    Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3)

     2333 Rayburn House Office Building
     Washington, DC 20515

     sarah.howard@mail.house.gov  •  (202) 225-3415