Following a USA Today cover story about White Coat Waste Project’s campaign to end the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) dog experimentation–and VA’s questionable decision to continue several wasteful and cruel projects–influential figures are speaking out to criticize the VA’s waste abuse.
Former VA Secretary David Shulkin tweeted out that he opposes VA’s dog testing:
Thank You @AMVETSHQ @SGillums for your #leadership on this important issue. As #SecVA and to this day-I remain opposed towards any new #dog research #ScienceOverPolitics @VFWHQ @DAVHQ @legionindc @VAChair @USATODAY https://t.co/FeoAkdject
— David J. Shulkin, MD (@DavidShulkin) November 2, 2018
AMVETS chief and paralyzed Marine Corps veteran Sherman Gillums compared VA dog testing to Michael Vick’s abuse of dogs:
.@USATODAY: VA: Fatal dog experiments moving ahead despite criticism from Congress, #veterans groupshttps://t.co/UdVoPgv9mw pic.twitter.com/5FtiyqlnSW
— AMVETS (@AMVETSHQ) November 2, 2018
And Congress members from both parties are calling for reforms:
The VA has not executed what we wanted as intent, which is to bring this to an end in its entirety. We will keep up the pressure until these invasive, painful and deadly experiments on dogs stop completely.https://t.co/TCUjjjGFXW
— Rep. Brian Mast (@RepBrianMast) November 2, 2018
I’m calling for an immediate investigation into the Veterans Affairs Dept. for resuming cruel and inhumane experiments on dogs. It’s time to end this canine house of horrors where the spinal cords of dogs are severed to test their cough reflex. https://t.co/FYWOkBzRHE
— Rep. Vern Buchanan (@VernBuchanan) November 2, 2018
#ICYMI in today’s @USATODAY. I’ll continue to fight against these ineffective and invasive experiments on dogs by the VA. The recent news on approval of new testing the same day Sec. Shulkin was fired does not match up with my convo with him that day. https://t.co/LeqXINS0pM
— Dina Titus (@repdinatitus) November 2, 2018
Troubling report about the VA continuing some highly questionable and cruel dog testing. Proud to cosponsor the PUPPERS Act to stop this waste and abuse. https://t.co/d8Detculo1
— Raul M. Grijalva (@RepRaulGrijalva) November 2, 2018
Troubling report about the VA continuing some highly questionable and cruel dog testing. Proud to cosponsor the PUPPERS Act to stop this waste and abuse. https://t.co/UO6OtEQ6jV
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) November 2, 2018
This is why I’m supporting the bipartisan PUPPERS Act. We’ve made good progress toward reducing VA dog testing, but clearly more works needs to be done. https://t.co/hdu96UZH8s
— Rep. Carlos Curbelo (@RepCurbelo) November 3, 2018