WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) today pressed Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough on reports that the VA is prioritizing medical care and benefits for illegal immigrants at the expense of American veterans and taxpayers.

Over 1 Million Veterans Are Waiting For A Claim To Be Processed, While Taxpayers Cover $94.3 Million In Medical Care For Detained Migrants

“In fiscal year 2022 alone, taxpayers shouldered the cost for $94.3 million worth of medical expenses for detained migrants, money that should have been used to support American veterans who bravely served this nation… Yet at the same time, veterans and their families are rewarded for their sacrifice with months- and years-long waiting times for their claims to be processed. Currently, 1,048,765 veterans are waiting for staff to process their claims. The VA claims that the average wait time for a claim to be processed is about five months; yet the agency’s own data shows that its backlog has increased and is expected to grow this year.”

The Biden Administration Is Seemingly Putting Illegal Immigrants Above America’s Veterans, And They Deserve Answers

“The VA was created to support those who have served and protected this nation, and now senior VA officials have seemingly placed these veterans on a tier below the flood of illegal immigrants that are crossing our porous border. Since President Biden took office, more than 8.5 million illegal immigrants, including 1.7 million known “gotaways” have entered our country… It is unacceptable to see the VA redirect its resources away from those who defended this country in favor of those who flout its laws without remorse.”