NASHVILLE, TENN. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.) introduced legislation to stop Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) resources from being used to provide taxpayer-funded healthcare to illegal aliens.

“Our nation’s veterans deserve nothing less than the very best care we have to offer,” said Senator Blackburn. “Joe Biden is trying to take away healthcare from our brave veterans to give to illegal immigrants. Under no circumstances should taxpayer dollars intended to support our veterans be spent on illegal immigrants.” 

“Joe Biden is putting illegal immigrants over America’s veterans,” said Senator Tuberville. “It is outrageous. Our veterans should not be forced to wait in long lines at VA medical centers and clinics to get the care they EARNED while illegal immigrants waltz across our open border and get taxpayer-funded healthcare they NEVER earned. Our veterans should have the best healthcare we can provide—and illegals who have no right to be in this country don’t deserve a dime from the taxpayer. Congress needs to pass this legislation to stop Joe Biden from robbing veterans to pay off illegals.”

“Joe Biden’s failed border policies have created a humanitarian and national security crisis. Now it appears he’s taking resources away from our veterans to facilitate healthcare for illegal migrants,” said Chairman Bost. “As a Marine, I believe any dollar taken away from a veteran is a promise broken to those who served. I’ve demanded answers from the Biden administration and been stonewalled every step of the way. Until I get the response our veterans deserve, I’ll use every available tool of my chairmanship to end this practice and put our veterans first.”

• Tennessee is home to over 400,000 veterans.
• Reports indicate the Department of Homeland Security is leveraging the VA’s established claims processing system to facilitate healthcare services to illegal aliens in ICE detention.
• This legislation would prohibit the VA from providing healthcare or engaging in claims processing for anyone unlawfully present in the United States.

• Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) as well as Congressmen Keith Self (R-Texas), Jack Bergman (R-Mich.), Scott Franklin (R-Fla.), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) joined as cosponsors.

Full text of the legislation can be found here.