Hill Country Chronicle

Representative Chip Roy from Texas has expressed his opposition to the recently proposed H.R. 8371, stating that Congress should aim for better standards and that veterans deserve more comprehensive support than what is currently offered in the bill.

"I voted against H.R. 8371 because I believe that Congress should do better and that our veterans deserve more than what was put on the floor today," said Roy. He criticized the bill as a "de facto omnibus" assembled from multiple individual bills, arguing they should have been assessed individually as single-subject legislation. According to him, these were grouped together hastily and introduced on the House floor without proper debate or opportunity for amendments by non-committee members.

Roy highlighted concerns about certain elements of the bill, such as its implications for federal law regarding gay marriage. Additionally, he pointed out that funding for this legislation would come from increased fees on veteran home buyers rather than addressing government spending inefficiencies.

Despite acknowledging some positive aspects within the bill, such as improving veterans' access to community care, Roy criticized the process by which it was passed and financed. He described it as "not how this body should be doing business" and a disservice to veterans who have served their country.

He concluded with a call for change in congressional practices: "Congress’ job is to represent, and how we do things here matters. Our veterans deserve more than the swamp’s business-as-usual approach."