Veterans Deserve More Respect

When veterans who risked their lives in service to our country visit a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility to receive the care, benefits, and services they earned, they should not have to face political ideations and influence before they even walk through the front door. The VA, which is supposed to be apolitical, is meant to provide healthcare, education, benefits, and other vital services to our nation's veterans, not push any outside political agendas.

So, imagine my dismay last Friday when I heard that VA Secretary Denis McDonough not only authorized, but encouraged VA-owned facilities to fly a rainbow flag alongside the American flag for Pride month. I received numerous calls and text messages from veterans in Arkansas who were offended by this action. I do not take disrespect to veterans lightly, and if veterans in my district are offended by something, then so am I.

I spoke directly to Secretary McDonough on the phone Friday evening and shared my disappointment in his decision to fly the rainbow flag alongside Old Glory. I asked him what other special interest flags are flown alongside the American flag at VA facilities. He confirmed that the VA does not fly any other special interest flags at the VA, and he took credit for that decision.

As the suicide rate of veterans increases, it's incredibly disconcerting that rather than focusing on serving veterans, the VA finds it appropriate to fly a special interest and politically perceived flag, not only alongside the American flag, but also in place of traditional and military service-related flags.

I will be signing on to legislation to put a stop to this disrespectful action. In the meantime, I sent a letter with House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost to Secretary McDonough. We called on the VA to remove any flag other than the American flag, the flag of the VA, state flags, and the POW/MIA recognition flag, and explain why they allowed a politically motivated flag to be flown in direct contradiction of VA policy.

The VA touts that one of the department's core values is excellence, and they say that they strive to improve constantly and will be, quote, "decisive in leadership, accountable for my actions, and willing to admit my mistakes." Well, we will see about that. I'm calling on the VA to uphold its core values, remove any special interest flags, and focus on its mission to provide world-class care and services to our nation's veterans.