Blog Post

From New Member and Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Rep. Harry Mitchell (AZ-05):

Mitchell to Hold Hearings On Longterm Needs of Walter Reed Patients

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell will hold hearings on reports of dilapidated conditions at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and how those conditions could impact soldiers as they transition to their status as veterans Thursday, March 8.

Mitchell is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

"The care wounded soldiers receive in the weeks and months after their injuries have a direct impact on their future needs as veterans," said Mitchell.

WHEN: 3:30 p.m., Thursday, March 8

SSG John Daniel Shannon testified this morning before the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, National Security Subcommittee, at a field hearing at Walter Reed.

This week's Congressional oversight hearings on conditions for our veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center are shining a bright light on how our government has failed those who have sacrificed the most.

Unfortunately, the problems at Walter Reed seem to be a pattern of neglect. Americans have seen it time and again: the Bush Administration sending our troops to Iraq without proper equipment and training, delays and inaction for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina, and now revelations of an appalling gap between rhetoric and reality in how we take care of our troops and their families at home.

Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, Chairwoman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law (CAL), announced this morning that her subcommittee will seek to issue subpoenas to two additional former U.S. Attorneys who were fired by the Bush Administration.

Both the Oversight Committee and Appropriations Committee are holding hearings today on the conditions at Walter Reed. Our troops and Veterans who fought for us on the battlefield should not have to fight their own government for the care they earned and deserve when they come home.

Oversight and Government Reform Committee, National Security Subcommittee

Field Hearing at Walter Reed, 10am EST

Check C-SPAN web site for webcast: http://www.c-span.org

Witness list:

Specialist Jeremy Duncan

Annette McLeod, Wife of Cpl. Wendell "Dell" McLeod

Staff Sgt. John Daniel Shannon

Lieutenant General Kevin C. Kiley, M.D., U.S. Army Surgeon General

Major General George W. Weightman, Commander (former), Walter Reed Army Medical Center

Today on NBC's Meet the Press, Rep. John Murtha (PA-12) outlined the troop protections, already in place in the military, that Democrats want to see enforced in order to ease the strain on our troops, prevent the army from breaking as many have warned against, and address the readiness crisis that our military is now facing.

The resignation of Secretary Harvey over the substandard conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center is further evidence of the Administration's inability to competently discharge its responsibilities to those most deserving of the nation's attention. Whether it is in the failure to respond effectively to the needs of hurricane victims on the Gulf Coast or the needs of our troops wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Administration's actions do not reflect the level of performance the American people have a right to expect of their government.

Today the Oversight Committee issued their first subpoena, which is in regard to the terrible conditions at Walter Reed's outpatient facility. Chairman Henry Waxman and Subcommittee Chairman John Tierney also wrote a letter to Major General Weightman.

From the Oversight and Government Reform Committee:

Committee Subpoenas Former Head of Walter Reed Hospital to Testify

Chairman Henry A. Waxman and Subcommittee Chairman John Tierney sent a letter to Major General George W. Weightman, former Commander of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, regarding the privatization of support services at Walter Reed and its impact on the conditions at Walter Reed. In addition, the Committee is issuing a subpoena to compel Major General Weightman to appear before the Committee on Monday, March 5.