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Dec. 18, 2020
Credit.Cliff Owen/Associated Press
All major American veterans’ organizations have called for the ouster of Robert Wilkie as secretary of veterans affairs over the shameless treatment by him and his senior staff of a veteran who says she was sexually assaulted. When men and women who served in uniform speak almost with one voice, it is not politics, as Mr. Wilkie would have it, but the will of the people he is meant to serve.
The case is straightforward. In September 2019, Andrea Goldstein, a Navy veteran, Reserve intelligence officer and staff member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, reported to the police that while in the main lobby of the V.A. Medical Center in Washington, a man “bumped his entire body against mine and told me I looked like I needed a smile and a good time.”
Brindisi Takes To House Floor On Behalf Of Veterans
Congressman Anthony Brindisi spoke on the House floor Wednesday in support of his Chuck Osier Burial Benefits Act. Brindisi’s bipartisan legislation was included in HR 7105 and passed both chambers of Congress. The legislation, introduced by Brindisi in January, extends VA burial benefits for Veterans who are buried in a non-traditional fashion. The legislation now heads to the President’s desk.
“Chuck Osier bravely and honorably served our country and it is time our country honor him and Veterans like him who chose non-traditional burials,” Brindisi said. “Now this bill heads to President Trump’s desk and Chuck’s family can ensure all Veterans’ will be honored for their service, regardless of how they choose to be laid to rest. Our Veterans defend our country and fight for our freedoms and we need to live up to the promises we made them. Today, we are fulfilling a promise to the Osier family.”
Congress passes sweeping end-of-year bill impacting 'every corner' of the veteran community mdjonline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mdjonline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
By STEVE BEYNON | STARS AND STRIPES Published: December 16, 2020 WASHINGTON Several major veterans organizations on Wednesday called on President Donald Trump to fire Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie after a federal watchdog report found he and his senior staff mishandled a congressional aide’s claim that she was sexually assaulted at a VA hospital. “Our organizations have concluded that as a result of the secretary’s personal actions in this matter, he no longer has the trust or confidence of America’s veterans and should be removed,” according to a letter from the veterans groups sent to Trump. “This is a tremendous breach of trust among veterans and Secretary Wilkie must be held accountable. His actions not only threaten to deter veterans from seeking care at VA, but also undermine the efforts of VA staff who have been working to bring an end to sexual harassment throughout the department.”
Congress passes sweeping end-of-year veterans bill stripes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stripes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.