Mr. Speaker, 40,000 veterans are trapped in a benefits backlog boondoggle of the current government's own making. Unable to access the medical benefits they have earned, many of these veterans have been waiting over two years for a decision. There was no backlog in 2015 and 2016.
I have a simple question. How many veterans are currently waiting longer than 16 weeks, which is the standard, for a decision on their benefits?