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.

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.

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

Today on NBC's Meet the Press, Rep.

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: