Veterans

Throughout our nation’s history, our citizens have responded in times of conflict. The sacrifices made by those men and women who have stepped forward when called to service laid the foundation for the many freedoms and fortunes we enjoy as Americans. There are currently over 23 million veterans in the United States. They are our nation’s greatest and most honored asset. It is our obligation to ensure that our veterans and their families are taken care of.

Those who have served and sacrificed for our country are entitled to affordable health care, as well as simultaneous receipt of military retiree and disability benefits. I have consistently supported legislation that allows for concurrent receipt of these benefits, as well as legislation that prevents significant increases in TRICARE fees.

Today’s Veterans

As the demands on a nation’s military change over time, so do the needs of our veterans. In fulfilling our obligation to them, we must ensure that we recognize those issues particular to the time periods in which veterans have served and are serving. Veterans of the Global War on Terrorism are returning home with injuries and illnesses unique to the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a member of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, I have worked to ensure that our obligation to our veterans is being appropriately and responsibly met and am happy that report that this year’s Military Construction, Veterans’ Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations bill (HR 6599) does just that. The bill funds critical military construction, family housing and quality of life improvements and enhancements for our servicemembers and their families. In addition, it provides for veterans participating in VA programs and it provides funding for monuments and cemeteries. The committee worked hard to include in this bill provisions that would generate, within the current VA healthcare facility structure, more community-based outpatient clinics. These clinics, as well as the additional VA health care funding provided in the bill, will help address the increased needs of veterans’ health care in rural and other underserved areas of the country.

I am honored to have a role in providing for our nation’s veterans, and I take that role very seriously. I will continue to offer them the support they so richly deserve through future legislative endeavors.