Giving Back to our Veterans

Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers has shown unwavering support for the brave men and women who have or are currently serving in the military. These men and women represent loyalty, honor and courage. They possess the willingness to sacrifice their selves for the greater good of our country and are the defenders of freedom.

McMorris Rodgers is committed to working on behalf of all veterans and ensuring that they receive the services, care, and benefits they deserve for their service to our county. Since taking office she has been actively involved in providing access to health care, ensuring that Eastern Washington has a veteran’s cemetery, and securing adequate funding for veteran's services.

Veterans Accomplishments

• Vietnam Veterans of America – 100% Legislative Report Card (109th)
• American Veterans – 100% Legislative Report Card (109th)
• Veterans of Foreign Wars – Supported all of VFW’s legislative accomplishments in 109th Congress
• Walla Walla Hospital- Continuously working with the community and the delegation to maintain and expand quality health care and services provided to veterans in the Walla Walla area through John Wainwright VA Medical Center
• Pushed Spokane VA to eliminate their waiting list. They have a zero waiting list for primary care. We must continue to fight to have the specialty care list also zeroed out.
• Helped over 375 veterans and military families with personal problems over the last two years
  

Legislation Cosponsored

110th

H.R. 327 Josh Omvig Suicide Prevention Act
Requires training for VA personnel to identify suicide risk indicators; establishes toll-free suicide prevention hotline; expanded family outreach; mandates at least one mental health counselor per VA medical facility

H.R. 315 HEALTHY Vets Act
Allows VA to contract with local hospitals to provide care to Veterans in rural areas

H.R. 784 SBP Paid-Up Provision
Changes effective date (moves up by one year) of SBP paid-up coverage which ends premium payments for military retirees over 70 who have paid in to SBP for 30 years

H.R. 243 Combat Medical Military Retired Act
Authorizes the payment of special compensation to members of the Armed Forces retired due to disability with less than 20 years of active service who were awarded the Purple Heart

H.R. 634 American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act
Directs the issue of $1 silver coins emblematic of the design selected by the Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, in commemoration of disabled American veterans.

H.R. 579 – Military Retiree Health Care Protection Act
Prohibits increases in DoD health care, dental care and pharmacy fees, copays, premiums, deductibles for a period of one year

H.R. 358 To make permanent to VA benefit for government markers for graves of veterans buried in private cemeteries

H.R. 22 To make appropriations for MILCON and family housing projects for DoD for FY 07
Would fund MILCON and family housing to levels provided for in House-passed MILCON approps for FY 07

H.R. 440 To provide for the use of gold in the medal content of the Medal of Honor

109th

H.R. 5037 Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes Act
Prohibits certain demonstrations at cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration and at Arlington National Cemetery

H.R. 5396 Veterans Mental Health Care Access Improvement Act
Modifies requirements for appointment to positions in the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by establishing eligibility requirements for licensed mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists.

H.R. 5772 Military Fallen Heroes Protection Act of 2006
Directs the Secretary of Defense to prohibit the unauthorized use of names, images and likenesses of members of the Armed Forces.

H.R. 1499 Heroes Earned Retirement Opportunities Act
This bill allow members of the Armed Forces to include their combat zone compensation (otherwise excludable from gross income) in their earned income for purposes of determining their allowable tax deduction for contributions to retirement savings plans.

H.R. 4121 Disabled Veterans Commissary and Exchange Store Benefits Act
Permits a veteran with any compensable service-connected disability (and their dependents) to use commissary and exchange stores on the same basis as a member of the Armed Forces entitled to retired or retainer pay.

Press Releases

• McMorris Rodgers Hosts Veterans and Military Resources Fair and Honors Military Spouses (August 20, 2007)
• McMorris Rodgers Applauds the Hiring of Director and Associate Director at Walla Walla VA Medical Center (April 19, 2007)
• McMorris Rodgers Advocates for VA Cemetery in Eastern Washington (April 2, 2007)
• McMorris Rodgers Supports Legislation to Increase Veterans Funding and Improve Mental Health Care (March 22, 2007)
• McMorris Recognized for her Support of Veterans (January 24, 2007)
• McMorris Awards Purple Heart to Iraq War Soldier (December 14, 2006)
• McMorris Wants Clarification from VA Regarding Service Hours and Procedures (October 7, 2006)
• Secretary Nicholson Announces that Veterans Health Care will Remain in Walla Walla (July 7, 2006)
• McMorris Supports Health Care Funding and Benefits for Veterans (May 19, 2006)
• McMorris Votes to Enhance Benefits and Provide New Equipment for Troops in Defense Authorization Bill Legislation includes funding for local defense projects (May 11, 2006)
• Veterans Affairs Secretary Nicholson to Visit Walla Walla VA Medical Center (October 12, 2005)
• McMorris Awards the Jubilee of Liberty Medal to Seven Washington State Veterans (October 3, 2005)
• McMorris Works to Provide Quality Health Care to Area Veterans (September 30, 2005)
• McMorris Announces $400,000 in Funding for VA Housing Project (September 14, 2005)
• McMorris Works to Provide Veterans with Quality Health Care (September 13, 2005)
• McMorris Honors Local World War II Soldier at Medal Ceremony (August 30, 2005)
• McMorris Takes Action to Ensure Veterans Receive the Care they Deserve (July 18, 2005)

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