On Thursday, Senator Murray, a key member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, joined the Senate in passing legislation to expand veterans’ benefits and restore limited pension benefits to Filipino veterans who fought for the United States in World War II.  

The bill passed by a vote of 96-1 after the Senate defeated a Republican amendment to deny extending benefits to the Filipino veterans.  The legislation now must be negotiated with the House in Conference Committee.  Murray said she was thrilled to see the bill approved Thursday – Republicans have held it up for nine months as a part of their efforts to obstruct progress in the Senate.

Among other things, the Veterans’ Benefits Enhancement Act:

• expands traumatic injury insurance,

• increases job training,

• and extends housing benefits to veterans with severe burns.

Senator Murray was instrumental in including two other provisions in the bill:

• One would help ensure that former POWs suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder could get health care and benefits for osteoporosis.  Studies have suggested the condition is related to PTSD. 

• The other would require the National Academy of Sciences to study the risk of developing Multiple Sclerosis as a result of serving in the Gulf War and subsequent conflicts.

More  

.........................................

.........................................

Following the release of court evidence that the VA has purposely withheld critical information on the rising number of veteran suicides, Senator Murray called for the resignation of Dr. Ira Katz, the head of mental health for the Department of Veterans Affairs.  

Murray, a key member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee who has repeatedly called on the VA to improve outreach and mental health services for our nation's veterans, this morning spoke with Secretary Peake to express her concern.

"It is imperative that the individual responsible for providing top notch mental health services to our veterans be open and honest about the VA's needs.  

"Doctor Katz's irresponsible actions have been a disservice to our veterans and it is time for him to go.  The number one priority of the VA should be caring for our veterans, not covering up the truth.

.........................................

Last week, Senator Murray called on the Bush Administration to acknowledge the price our veterans and their families are paying in service to our nation by improving mental health services when they come home.  

A study released today by the Rand Corporation found that while 20 percent of military service members who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan report symptoms of PTSD or major depression, only slightly more than half have sought treatment. 

“Five and a half years into this war it's time for the Administration to take the blinders off and look at what this war is costing us,” Murray said.  “These findings reaffirm the tragic cost of war and highlight the urgent need for the VA and Pentagon to screen and treat every returning service member.

"We need an Administration who values the sacrifice of our troops and veterans and doesn't allow them to slip through the cracks when they come home.  It shouldn't take mental health statistics to reach crisis-stage to get this Administration to act.   

“I have said this time and again – it is going to take more than money to get our troops and veterans they care they have earned.  We need to see real leadership in the White House and a change in culture at the Pentagon."

.........................................

Last week, Senator Murray, Chairman of the Senate Transportation and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Appropriations Subcommittee and a key member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, announced that the $75 million she secured is being distributed to help 10,070 homeless veterans across the country, including 250 in Washington state.

More