WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, today called on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert McDonald to apologize for his inappropriate comparison of the months veterans sometimes wait to see a doctor to the “number of hours you wait in line” for rides at Disneyland.             

“It’s one thing to wait for a roller coaster, but it’s another thing to wait for a blood transfusion. The two should not be comparable in one statement or another,” Isakson said as he opened a committee hearing.

Isakson reaffirmed his priority as chairman to ensure that all veterans receive quality health care in a timely manner while holding bad actors at the VA accountable. Earlier this month, Isakson introduced the Veterans First Act, which includes strong accountability measures as well as sweeping reforms to veterans’ health care and benefits.

Here is Isakson’s full statement at the committee hearing:

“I think the secretary owes veterans of the United States of America and this committee an apology,” said Isakson at today’s VA committee hearing. “We are so close to enacting reforms in the VA to further expedite the services and care provided by the VA and for us to get caught up by quotes that send the wrong signal would be just terrible. It is my hope that the secretary will correct what was I hope not the intent of the statement he made to make sure the veterans know that their service first is what’s most important to us, and that waiting in line does mean something. It’s one thing to wait for a roller coaster, but it’s another thing to wait for a blood transfusion. The two should not be comparable in one statement or another.”

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The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is chaired by U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., in the 114th Congress. Isakson is a veteran himself – having served in the Georgia Air National Guard from 1966-1972 – and has been a member of the Senate VA Committee since he joined the Senate in 2005. Isakson’s home state of Georgia is home to more than a dozen military installations representing each branch of the military as well as more than 750,000 veterans.