Veterans
IN DEPTH: Press Releases
Veterans have kept their promises to serve our nation, and we must keep our promises to protect our veterans. The men and women who are risking their lives for us should not be given first-class weapons in battle only to receive third-class benefits when they return home from war. While we may be divided on the war in Iraq, we must be united in seeing that every single member of the armed forces is welcomed back with benefits that are first-rate and uncompromised.
With my support, the 110th Congress has made great strides in reaching this goal. Through my position on the House Armed Services Committee, I was able to ensure that the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2008 (NDAA, H.R. 1585) adequately supports our veterans, military service members, and the Department of Defense (DOD)—including a pay raise for our troops exceeding what President Bush requested. In addition to ensuring that the DOD has the necessary funding to restore depleted resources, this vital bill also includes the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act (H.R. 1538), which addresses the problems and deficits in care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
The Wounded Warrior Assistance Act establishes an oversight board that will conduct annual evaluations to guarantee high quality and integrity in the medical care provided to our veterans. This includes an amendment I introduced that gives the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the power to appoint two members to this oversight board—ensuring that the voice of our veterans is heard. It also requires the DOD to develop a plan to help prevent mental health disorders such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
I have also voted to support critical funding for our veterans, such as a $3.6 billion increase in VA funding to meet rising health care costs for our veterans (H.J.Res. 20; P.L. 110-5) and a bill to provide $5 billion for veterans’ care, including PTSD and brain-trauma injuries (the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, and Iraq Accountability Act, H.R. 1591). I also voted in favor of the federal budget resolution for FY2008 (H.Con.Res. 99), which invests $43.1 billion in the Veterans Health Administration—the largest increase in history and $6.4 billion more than the President proposed.
My colleagues and I, under Democratic leadership, have made veterans a priority with landmark investments in funding their medical treatment and care. I will continue to fight to honor our veterans by providing them with the first-rate benefits they deserve.
