Veterans
Our national security is preserved because we have men and women willing to pay the ultimate price, bear the burden, and meet the demand of keeping our county safe.
"The first and only time that I have received a "Well Done" on Veteran's Day was from you by phone message. You have always supported Veterans with VA issues. I have not asked for your support with the VA but I know you are there for us. I have continually given out your contact info for Vets who have been admitted to Madigan Army Medical Center to support their efforts to gain VA benefits…I feel comfortable that you are "THERE" to support us!” – Lawrence, Veteran, U.S. Army (ret.)
Video: Dave Reichert on Veterans
Dave Reichert: Honoring America's Veterans
Every American owes a debt of gratitude to the brave men and women who honorably served in the armed forces of our nation.I remain unwavering in my commitment to our men and women in uniform. Our freedom is preserved because we have men and women willing to pay the price, bear the burden, and meet the demands of keeping our country safe. Every American owes a debt of gratitude to the brave men and women who honorably served in our nation’s Armed Forces. I am proud to say that I have consistently opposed TRICARE fee increases on military health care because these men and women should not have to pay more out of pocket for the benefits they have earned, and I will continue to fight proposals that harm TRICARE.
You may be interested to learn that I am a cosponsor of H.R. 333, the Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act. This legislation would offer immediate concurrent receipt – the simultaneous receipt of military retired pay and veterans’ disability compensation to disabled veterans. You may also be pleased to know that I have voted to speed up concurrent receipt of these benefits for all veterans to receive the military retirement pay and VA benefits that they deserve, and I will continue to work to achieve this goal.
It is one of my highest legislative priorities and my personal duty – not only as a Congressman, but also as someone who served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves – to provide our service members and their families with the health care and benefits that they have earned and deserve. From cosponsoring measures to make the cost of living adjustment (COLA) permanent to supporting expansions of the Montgomery GI Bill and service members’ life insurance, I remain committed to consistently providing for the men and women who have sacrificed so much to defend our freedom.
Dave supports veterans' legislation that:
- Improves medical care
- Provides seamless transitions
- Recognizes service and sacrifice
- Expands compensation and benefits
His accomplishments and work for veterans includes:
- Original Cosponsor of New GI Bill to Increase Veterans’ Education Benefits: Among numerous provisions, the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act (H.R. 5740) increases benefits for all members of the military who have served on active duty since September 11, including Guardsmen and Reservists; creates stipends for textbooks and housing; and grants veterans more flexibility in the use of their benefits. H.R. 5740 is companion legislation to S. 22 in the Senate, a bipartisan bill introduced by Sens. Jim Webb and John Warner, both of Virginia.
- Creating a Fair Retirement System: Supports legislation to repair the gap in eligibility for National Guard members to receive credit towards early retirement by including active duty service since September 11, 2001.
- Providing Pathways to Employment: As lead Republican sponsor of legislation to reauthorize the "Troops to COPS" program which funds the training and hiring of former Armed forces personnel to serve as law enforcement officers.
- Comprehensive Memorial Benefits: Enacted legislation that expands and makes permanent veterans' right to receive government furnished grave markers and headstones to honor their courageous service. Also fought to protect families of deceased veterans from protestors who refuse to honor the solemn occasion of a military funeral, and cosponsored legislation to ensure veterans' ashes left unclaimed at funeral homes are provided the proper burial.
- Improved benefits for active duty troops: Voted to increase service members' life insurance to $400,000, provide uninsured reservists with TRICARE health coverage, and increase funding for the Montgomery GI Bill education benefit.
- Supported assistance for wounded warriors: Voted for legislation to expedite and improve the benefits and claims process, require the Department of Defense and Veterans' Affairs to establish a single medical information system, and enhance oversight of military medical facilities.
- Supporting concurrent receipt: Voted to speed up the process of permitting veterans to simultaneously receive the military retirement pay and VA benefits that they deserve.
If you, or anyone you know, needs assistance in submitting their application for benefits, or any other federal issue, please contact my district office at (206) 275-3438. Additionally, the two links immediately below can be utilized by veterans in need:
http//www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
http://www.suicideoutreach.org/
Downloads
- » awer.pdf