Veterans

Walter Reed

I believe in taking action in Congress to preserve the rights of our veterans. Veterans have dedicated themselves to fighting for our country and for our way of life, and they deserve the best we can offer them. This is why I was particularly disturbed to learn recently of the intolerable conditions at the Walter Reed Army Hospital only a few miles away from Capitol Hill and the White House. At a time when we are asking our service men and women to risk their lives and health, we should be expanding, not neglecting, the health care and other services they need and deserve.

Towards this end, I have cosponsored several bills in the House of Representatives aimed at improving health care for veterans and establishing standards for and oversight of VA facilities. Two of these bills, the Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act of 2007 (H.R. 1268) and the VA Hospital Quality Report Card Act of 2007 (H.R. 1448), directly address many of the problems found at Walter Reed. The first requires that VA facilities be maintained at the highest service standard and requires at least semiannual inspections and repairs of all quarters housing recovering soldiers. The second bill directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to, at minimum, semiannually publish reports on VA hospital quality, including assessments of effectiveness, efficiency, timeliness and safety.

I find it appalling that conditions such as those found at Walter Reed could exist and be considered acceptable for the men and women who have risked their lives for this country. I believe that these resolutions, in conjunction with others currently being considered by the House, will help prevent such deplorable conditions in the future.

Veterans Health Care Funding

Throughout our nation's history, our freedom has been preserved by members of the Armed Forces. Countless soldiers have given their lives or their health for this country. I believe ensuring that they get the very best healthcare available is the very least we can do for them.

During my years in Congress I have constantly argued in favor of adequate funding for veterans' health care. I am an original cosponsor of the Assured Funding for Veterans Act (H.R. 2514) which provides greater access to funding so that the VA wouldn't be forced to request emergency supplemental funding for health care almost every year. Additionally, I am a cosponsor of the Returning Servicemember VA Healthcare Insurance Act (H.R.612), which extends the period of time years for which a veteran may receive hospital treatment for injuries sustained while in service from 2 years to 5 years

Congressional Veterans Budget 2008

As a Member of Congress, I continue to oppose cuts in veterans' benefits and consistently vote against Federal budgets that failed to give veterans' health care and services the funding needed. I strongly feel, despite the range of opinions regarding this country's involvement abroad, our veterans should not fall victim to partisan politics. We have a duty to provide them with the best care possible once they return home.

Therefore, I believe that the Administration's proposed 2008 budget falls short of what our service men and women deserve. The proposed budget increases the cost of health care for veterans and, among other things, cuts funding for medical and prosthetic research by $2.7 million and eliminates traumatic brain injury grants entirely. This is not how we should reward veterans' dedication and service.

I recently voted for the FY08 budget resolution (H. Con. Res. 99) which rejects the President's proposed fee increases for veterans' health care and provides $3.5 billion more than the Administration's proposed budget for 2008. The bill would provide the largest increase for veterans' health care funding in history, over $6.6 billion or 18% more that the fiscal year 2007 budget. The resolution also calls for increased funding to speed up claims processing in the VA.

Veterans Benefits

Many veterans are unaware that they qualify for VA service and benefits and so do not receive the services they are entitled to as veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. The Veterans Outreach Improvement Act (H.R. 67), of which I am a cosponsor, would increase outreach and awareness programs so that veterans could have a better understanding of what they are eligible to receive from the government. Additionally, I have cosponsored the Children of Fallen Soldiers Pell Grant Act (H.R. 567), which would decrease the cost of attending college for the children of deceased soldiers by reducing the expected family contribution for Pell Grant eligibility. I strongly believe that Congress must do everything it can to support our returning veterans and their families, who have sacrificed so much for their country.

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