COLUMBUS, OH – Today, local leaders and veterans held a virtual press conference to call out Bernie Moreno for his recent comments disparaging the VA and highlight Sherrod’s work to successfully save the Chillicothe VA.
Ohioans on the call emphasized that while Sherrod worked across the aisle to successfully save the Chillicothe VA and ensure Ohio veterans continue receiving the treatment and care they deserve, Bernie Moreno disparaged the VA to a group of Ohioans last week.
“When our care was threatened, we reached out to Sherrod and he got to work with his Republican colleague, then-Senator Rob Portman, to keep the VA open, save our jobs, and make sure local veterans are getting the care they need,” said AFGE Local 1631 President Jessica Fee. “Thanks to Sherrod’s efforts, we saved the Chillicothe VA. Bernie Moreno, on the other hand, showed up in Chillicothe last week and made it clear he doesn’t think Sherrod’s work on this matters. He dismissed it.”
“As soon as VA announced plans to close the facility, Sherrod jumped into action. Sherrod has always fought for Ohio veterans and Ohio communities that have been overlooked for far too long,” said Jackson County veteran and member of the Chillicothe Save the VA committee Jerry Collins. “He takes his job representing Ohio’s 700,000 veterans seriously while Moreno doesn’t care about protecting veterans’ healthcare.”
“When it comes to fighting for Ohio veterans, Sherrod Brown is the best partner there is. We couldn’t have saved the VA without him. He told us again and again that he would not leave Ohio’s rural veterans behind, and he didn’t,” said retired USAF Senior Master Sergeant and retired Chillicothe VA IT Supervisor Tom Yeager. “Bernie Moreno only looks out for himself.”
Please find a recording of the call for media use here.
Read more about Sherrod’s fight to save the Chillicothe VA:
- Scioto Valley Guardian: Sen. Sherrod Brown saved the Chillicothe VA. Now he’s in town to discuss how to improve it with the help of a task force
- Chillicothe Gazette: ‘Kind of a big deal’: Senator Sherrod Brown holds roundtable for VA employees
- Ohio Capital Journal: Sen. Brown visits Chillicothe in bid to keep VA hospital open
- WOSU: Chillicothe VA to remain open
- WCMH: Brown: Chillicothe VA to stay open
- Scioto Valley Guardian: U.S. Senator returns to Chillicothe twice in a week in bid to save VAMC
- WSYX: Ohio senators and veterans fighting to keep Chillicothe VA hospital open
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