In the News

U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman was selected this week to serve on the negotiating team that will hash out differences between the House and Senate bills designed to reform the beleaguered U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

In that role, the Aurora Republican — a military veteran himself — will join with a small group of other lawmakers to finalize legislation aimed at bringing more accountability to VA officials while finding alternatives for veterans waiting for medical care.

It’s also a major boost to Coffman’s campaign credentials. The posting puts Coffman in the national limelight at a time when he’s defending his seat against Democrat Andrew Romanoff, former speaker of the Colorado House.

“I am humbled to be appointed as a conferee, and I’ll be focused on fighting for Colorado veterans every step of the way,” Coffman said in a statement. “We must come together quickly in a bipartisan manner to iron out the differences between our bills to address the VA’s systemic problems, so our nation’s veterans can finally get the care they deserve.”