The Failure of Leadership at Walter Reed

Floor Speech

THE FAILURE OF LEADERSHIP AT WALTER REED

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I felt the need today to rise and to briefly express my deeply felt dismay over the failure of leadership concerning the problems at Walter Reed.

We have witnessed a disservice to the men and women in uniform to whom we owe such a deep debt of gratitude. It is simply inexcusable. We can and must do a better job by our injured troops, especially after asking them to do so much for us.

I was glad to see actions to hold the Army and hospital leadership accountable, and the President's choice to create the Dole-Shalala Commission. Both Senator Dole and Secretary Shalala have the experience to craft solutions to improve the situation. I know they will be independent and offer a sound assessment of the problem with good solutions.

Ultimately, our troops deserve the best. This is a bipartisan issue, and I look forward to working diligently on it.

We must not rest until our troops are assured of the medical treatment that they so rightfully deserve.

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