House appropriator casts doubt on VA funding increase

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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 04: Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Charlie Dent (R-PA) open a hearing about the Veterans Affiars Department’s budget March 4, 2015 in Washington, DC. VA Secretary Robert McDonald faced questions from the subcommittee about the Veterans Choice Program, which is supposed to expedite access to private care if vets have been waiting longer than 30 days or live farther than 40 miles away from a VA hospital. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Leo covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He has covered Washington, D.C. since 2004, focusing on military personnel and veterans policies. His work has earned numerous honors, including a 2009 Polk award, a 2010 National Headliner Award, the IAVA Leadership in Journalism award and the VFW News Media award.