Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak, R-ND, will host a veterans-focused forum featuring U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins on Friday, April 17, from 9:15-10 a.m.

The forum will provide North Dakota veterans, families, and stakeholders an opportunity to hear directly from Collins and engage in a conversation about improving care, access and services for those who have served our country. North Dakotans who want to participate in the conversation must sign up on Fedorchak’s website by 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 16. For those who prefer to listen in, the forum will be broadcasted on her website.

“Our veterans answered the call to serve, and Congress has a responsibility to ensure they receive the care and support they’ve earned,” Fedorchak said. “I’m looking forward to hosting Secretary Doug Collins as he shares updates about initiatives at the VA, highlights his goals and progress and answers questions directly from North Dakotans.”

Fedorchak noted the Trump administration has reduced the backlog of veterans waiting for benefits by 60%, processed a record 3 million disability claims in the past fiscal year, opened 25 new health care clinics nationwide, including in Williston and Grand Forks, and provided more than 1.4 million appointments outside normal operating hours.