As a veteran, Congressman Dingell understands the importance of keeping our promises to those who have served to protect our nation from foreign threats. For too many years, our returning soldiers were getting inadequate services from our government. The Congressman has been an outspoken champion for increased funding and benefits, and especially in recent years, he has fought to ensure veterans receive everything they were promised when they entered the service.
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Congressman John Dingell , World War II Veterans |
The 110th Congress is delivering on its promises. Under the Military Construction and Veterans’ Affairs Appropriations for fiscal year 2008, Congress provided the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) $43.1 billion, which was $3.7 billion over President Bush’s request and an increase of $6.6 billion above the 2007 level—making it the largest single increase in the 77-year history of the VA.
Since taking control of Congress in January 2007, Democrats have increased VA spending by $11.8 billion. This funding will go towards improvements to the VA health care system, including more qualified doctors and nurses for our nearly six million veterans, 3,100 new caseworkers to speed up processing of benefits claims, and a focus on research and treatment for post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury – major mental health issues for our returning soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, the fiscal year (FY) 2008 Veterans Affairs and Military Construction appropriations will go toward:
- $1.08 billion toward maintenance of VA health care facilities to prevent another Walter Reed-like tragedy (a 240 % increase from FY 2006)
- $2.9 billion in required spending on mental health care (a 32% increase from FY 2006)
- $130 million to secure assistance for homeless veterans
- $480 million for medical and prosthetic research ($66 million over FY 2007)
During the 110th Congress, not only has Congressman Dingell voted for a number of bills to improve quality of life health care, and other benefits for our veterans, he has also co-sponsored several bills that assist our veterans. Some of these include:
- The Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act: Signed into law on November 5, 2007. Helps prevent and treat post traumatic stress disorder which can lead to depression and ultimately suicide. Under this Act, the Secretary of the VA is directed to carry out a comprehensive suicide prevention program.
- Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act of 2007: Passed the House on December 18, 2007. Ensures that veterans who have retired due to injury will receive the bonuses they were entitled to as active-duty servicemembers.
- The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act: This bill gives all veterans who have served at least two years on active duty since 9/11 educational benefits equal to tuition, room and board and a $1,000 monthly stipend at the state’s most expensive public institution for four years.
- Military Reservist and Veteran Small Business Reauthorization and Opportunity Act of 2008
Congressman Dingell understands that our work is not finished. More needs to be and will be done to improve the VA health care system, help our veterans transition into civilian life and treat them with the mental health services they need, and afford them the opportunities for employment, education, and housing they deserve. You can count on the Congressman to continuing fighting for our veterans during the 110th Congress and beyond.
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