COLTS NECK – Today, the US Department of Justice released a report that found New Jersey’s Veterans Homes failed to provide the care required by the U.S. Constitution, and subjected veterans to unacceptable conditions.

Specifically, the 43 page report found “failures at the homes in Menlo Park and Paramus, citing poor communication and a lack of staff competency that let the virus spread “virtually unchecked throughout the facilities” and “ that even after the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department arrived in New Jersey to help in April 2020, the state Military and Veterans Affairs Department failed to implement their recommendations and otherwise reform infection control.”

Steve Dnistrian, candidate for State Senate in LD-11, responded to the report by highlighting how Senator Gopal failed to act in defense of our country’s heroes.

“Today’s news is another sad reminder of the ways in which Senator Gopal has failed our communities. As Chairman of the Senate Military and Veteran’s Affairs, Gopal had the power to investigate the state’s failings. But as advocates called for an investigation, and the media revealed how Governor Murphy’s administration failed our heroes – Gopal did nothing.

While a bipartisan group of Senators proposed legislation that would upgrade veterans homes to prevent this tragedy from happening again, Gopal sat out that fight.

When Gopal’s legislative partners in Assemblywomen Marilyn Piperno and Kim Eulner signed on, Gopal refused to join them.

Gopal talks a good game – but when we need leaders, willing to challenge the political powers that be in Trenton – Gopal is often nowhere to be seen.

Our heroes in those veterans homes deserved better. And our communities deserve better than Gopal’s failed leadership.”