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Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH) recently led a letter, which included 22 of his U.S House of Representatives colleagues, to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Acting Secretary Sloan Gibson following reports that permanent religious symbols were covered in VA medical center chapels when they were not in use.

“Many individuals use our VA chapels for meditation and worship and as a place to go when in search of solace and comfort,” said Latta. “They should unquestionably remain open and accessible to all religious beliefs and faiths, and patrons should be able to attend without discrimination. Our letter urges the VA to take the necessary steps to ensure its medical center chapels are open and accommodating to all those seeking to exercise their religious freedoms.”

The letter asks the VA to provide clarification about the origin and implementation of religious neutrality policies within its chapels, as well as what is being done to safeguard religious freedom. To view a copy of the letter, click here.

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