Veteran's Affairs Nearly 27 million Americans wear the proud title of Veteran of our Nation’s Armed Forces, including 366,000 who live in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Throughout our nation’s history, they have answered the call of duty and have been committed to seeing their missions through to the very end. We owe our veterans a debt we can never fully repay. We owe them quality medical care, accessible education and a guarantee that their sacrifices were not made in vain. Our veterans have fought for us. The least we can do in Congress is fight for their proper care.
Since I have been in Congress, I have voted to increase and improve benefits for our nation’s veterans and the veterans’ budget has increased 94%. I have voted time and time again to increase Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan guarantees, retiree survivor benefits and funds for veterans’ medical care and education benefits. In addition, I have fought to establish three veterans’ outpatient clinics to better serve the many veterans living and working in the First Congressional District. A fourth clinic is set to open in Mayfield soon.
I have always worked to increase funding for our veterans and retirees. This year, Congress passed legislation to provide $41 billion for Veterans health care, $4.8 billion above the amount provided last year. The total Veterans Administration budget has increased from $48 billion in 2001 to $72.9 billion for 2009. I will continue to work to ensure the improvement of benefits for our veterans.
Earlier this year, I supported, and the House passed, a 21st Century G.I. bill that provides $62.8 billion over the next eleven years to expand the educational benefits the United States offers to the brave men and women who have served since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The new education program the bill establishes provides up to 36 months in lump-sum tuition payments equal to the highest in-state tuition rate in each state, a monthly housing stipend and a $1,000 annual payment for books and supplies. Members of the armed services will also be able to transfer their benefits to their spouse or children.
As many people know, the original G.I bill, the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, was enacted to provide educational, housing, and unemployment benefits to veterans reentering civilian life. Nearly 8 million veterans, many of whom were drafted, received up to $500 per year in educational benefits for tuition, books, and other expenses. While the program expired in 1956, similar programs were enacted over the following two decades.
Today, veterans’ educational benefits are administered under the Montgomery G.I. Bill – a program designed for peacetime, not wartime, service. The new G.I Bill I proudly supported closely resembles the educational benefits provided to veterans returning from World War II. It nearly doubles the educational benefits veterans can receive from $40,000 to $90,000.
The original G.I. Bill spurred economic growth and expansion in the WWII era. For every dollar invested in WWII veterans, seven dollars was generated. I believe the new G.I. Bill holds the same potential today to help turn our economy around. Giving our troops returning home the tools they need to succeed will strengthen our workforce in the face of increasing global competition.
In the First District of Kentucky there are multiple resources available to our veterans and retirees. In the cities of Hanson and Paducah, Community Basic Outpatient Clinics are available for primary healthcare. The Kentucky Veterans Affairs Department is extremely active in the Commonwealth sponsoring programs such as the Korean War Missing DNA Project, the High School Diploma Program for Veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, and multiple recognition programs for events such as Memorial Day ceremonies to monument dedication around the state. The Kentucky Veterans Affairs Department also has regional administrators available to assist veterans and their dependents regarding benefit claims.
Our nation’s veterans deserve the very best our nation has to offer – particularly in terms of healthcare and education. Rest assured I will continue to do my part in Congress to provide our veterans with every benefit they have earned.
Links:
House Committee on Veterans Affairs
Department of Veterans Affairs
Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs
National Veterans Gravesite Locator
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