Veterans

In Congress, one of my top priorities is supporting the brave men and women who have fought courageously for our nation. We must honor their commitment and sacrifice, as well as that of their families.  As a member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I am working hard to ensure that we provide the care and assistance every veteran has earned.

I am proud that this Congress successfully passed a budget that included an increase of more than $6 billion for veterans’ services, the single largest funding increase in the 77-year history of the VA.  I met with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to discuss the provision of services to veterans in my district and I also wrote and passed a bill to ensure the VA will be able to treat the long-term needs of veterans who are suffering from a Traumatic Brain Injury, the signature injury of the war in Iraq. 

I am committed to honoring our veterans’ service and to ensuring that their sacrifices are never taken for granted.

House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

The committee this year has focused on increasing benefits to all veterans. As a member of the committee, Congressman McNerney has worked to pass historic funding levels, approve language that will provide veterans benefits for merchant marines and Filipino veterans who served honorably in World War II, and investigate abuse of Department of Defense discharge procedures that can deny benefits to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. As a member of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, he has examined the use of veterans preference for Federal employment, the availability of transition assistance for new veterans, and educational benefits offered under the Montgomery GI Bill.

Veterans Advisory Board

Congressman McNerney created a Veterans Advisory Board, made up of veterans throughout the 11th district.  The Congressman has met with the board and will continue to meet with them to hear about issues of concerns to veterans in the district.  In the past, they have discussed the expansion of veterans’ services in Northern California and how to improve treatment of veterans from all conflicts, including veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sponsored Legislation

The Caring for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2007 – H.R. 2201

Congressman McNerney’s bill would establish a special panel within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to assess the ability of the federal government to treat veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI), the signature wound of current overseas conflicts.  The panel will recommend new policies for the care and rehabilitation of veterans with TBI and also will create programs to educate and train VA doctors and nurses in TBI treatment.  H.R. 2201 was combined with other important legislation related to veterans issues and passed the House with unanimous support by a vote of 421 to 0.

Cosponsored Legislation

The Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act – H.R. 327

This legislation directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive program aimed at combatting suicide among veterans. H.R. 327 was signed into law by President Bush November 5th, 2007.

The Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2007 – H.R. 1284

This legislation increases the amounts paid to veterans for disability, dependents, clothing, and dependency and indemnity compensation as of December 1, 2007. H.R. 1284 was signed into law by President Bush November 5th, 2007.

To repeal the SBP/DIC offset and for other purposes – H.R. 1927

This bill repeals provisions of law that require amounts paid to surviving spouses of veterans in Survivor Benefit Payment annuities (paid by the Department of Defense) to be reduced by the amount of dependency and indemnity compensation (paid by the Veterans Administration) received by the surviving spouse.

The Veterans' Health Care Improvement Act of 2007 – H.R. 2874

This legislation increases rural transportation grants to help veterans get access to care, increases aid to homeless and very low income veterans, and increases outreach to identify and serve veterans qualified to readjustment and mental health services.

The Fair Benefits for Guard and Reserve Act – H.R. 3882 

This bill is a legislative fix to ensure that members of the Minnesota National Guard’s 34th Brigade Combat Team receive the educational benefits to which they are entitled. This unit served the longest continuous tour of duty of any active duty unit in Iraq. Yet, due to a disparity in the way their service orders were drafted, nearly half of the soldiers were not eligible for Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty benefits upon their return.

View more cosponsored legislation regarding veterans and other issues

110th Congress veterans issues report card

 

Office Addresses

Site Tools | Privacy Policy
2008, 11th Congressional District of California