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WASHINGTON — Today, Representative Ronny Jackson (TX-13) led 80 of his colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough, urging him to prioritize care for rural veterans. Historically, veterans in rural areas have faced challenges with accessing quality care because many of the VA’s resources are devoted to urban areas. The letter discusses improving overall access to care for rural veterans through creative solutions, cross-agency collaboration, public-private partnerships, and improved rural broadband.

Jackson’s initiative is supported by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23), House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Chief Deputy Whip Drew Ferguson (GA-03), House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Mike Rogers (AL-03), and House Foreign Affairs Committee Lead Republican Michael McCaul (TX-13).

Jackson said: “I am proud to be leading the fight for improved access to care for rural veterans. Having served in the U.S. Military for 29 years, I am committed to supporting our brave service members and veterans through my work in Congress and on the House Armed Services Committee. I believe that if we fail to keep our promises to America’s heroes, then we have failed as a country. With so many of my colleagues joining me in this effort, I hope Secretary McDonough will hear our message loud and clear: The Department of Veterans Affairs desperately needs to step up its commitment to veterans in rural areas, and we stand ready to work as partners to ensure ALL veterans get the care they have rightfully earned.”

The full letter can be found here. Co-signers also include Representatives Kevin Brady (TX-08), Jared Golden (ME-02), Tony Gonzales (TX-23), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Louie Gohmert (TX-01), Van Taylor (TX-03), Pat Fallon (TX-04), August Pfluger (TX-11), Randy Weber (TX-14), Pete Sessions (TX-17), Jodey Arrington (TX-19), Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), Michael Burgess (TX-26), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Brian Babin (TX-36), John Rose (TN-06), Tom Cole (OK-04), Jim Banks (IN-03), Brad Wenstrup (OH-02), Frank Lucas (OK-03), Rob Wittman (VA-01), Adrian Smith (NE-03), Glenn 'GT' Thompson (PA-15), Michael Waltz (FL-06), Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Scott DesJarlais (TN-04), Tom Rice (SC-07), Carol Miller (WV-03), Vicky Hartzler (MO-04), David Joyce (OH-14), Ken Buck (CO-04), Yvette Herrell (NM-02), Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Don Bacon (NE-02), Jason Smith (MO-08), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02), David McKinley (WV-01), Greg Pence (IN-06), Bill Johnson (OH-06), Jerry Carl (AL-01), Fred Keller (PA-12), Jay Obernolte (CA-08), Scott Franklin (FL-15), Lisa McClain (MI-10), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Greg Steube (FL-17), Bob Gibbs (OH-07), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Andrew Clyde (GA-09), Tracey Mann (KS-01), Alex Mooney (WV-02), Trent Kelly (MS-01), Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Barry Moore (AL-02), Cliff Bentz (OR-02), Richard Hudson (NC-08), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), Peter Meijer (MI-03), Mark Green (TN-07), Julia Letlow (LA-05), Tim Walberg (MI-07), Daniel Webster (FL-11), John Katko (NY-24), Claudia Tenney (NY-22), Kevin Hern (OK-01), Madison Cawthorn (NC-11), Bob Good (VA-05), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Ted Budd (NC-13), Jake LaTurner (KS-02), Matt Gaetz (FL-01), Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), Chris Jacobs (NY-27), and Ben Cline (VA-06).

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