Congressman Mahoney believes that we owe our veterans a debt of gratitude for the freedom we enjoy.  He is fighting to make sure all of America's veterans receive the services, support, and recognition they deserve. Since taking office in 2007, Mahoney has created a Veterans Advisory Council in addition to co-sponsoring and supporting the following pieces of legislation to support our troops and take care of our veterans:

Veterans Advisory Council

Congressman Tim Mahoney created the Veterans Advisory Council to serve as a direct line of communication between the veterans' community and Congress.  The council is made up of veterans from all eight counties in Florida's 16th Congressional District and includes veterans who served in major conflicts from WWII to the present.

Cosponsored Bills:

• The Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (Expanded GI Bill): (Co-Sponsored and Became Law)

Mahoney co-sponsored this legislation to restore full, four-year college scholarships to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars so that they could be part of America's economic recovery, like the veterans of World War II. Previously, benefits paid for only about 70 % of a public college education and 30% of a private college education. These bills were folded into the Supplemental Appropriations Bill and signed into law.

• Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act, H.R. 327: (Cosponsored and Became law)

Recognizes that suicide among veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious problem and directs the VA Secretary to develop and carry out a comprehensive program designed to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans.

• Cosponsored the Pay Veterans First Act, H.R. 2292 (Passed House, Pending in Senate)

H.R. 2292 would freeze bonuses for the senior political appointees at the VA until the backlog of pending disability claims is reduced from the current estimate of 600,000 estimated to fewer than 100,000.

• 2008 Omnibus VA Funding

This funding packages provides funding to strengthen the quality of healthcare for all veterans; supports much needed maintenance for VA healthcare facilities including the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center and the Stuart Community Based Outpatient Clinic; adds facilities and resources for the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury for returning veterans; increase the types of health benefits provided to all veterans and shorten wait periods for earned benefits; provides $429 million for substance abuse and mental health care for veterans; provides $130 million for programs to assist the 2,300 homeless veterans across America

• Cosponsored H.R. 3480, Let Our Veterans Rest in Peace Act

This bill asks the Sentencing Commission to review and enhance the laws that currently protect Veteran grave markers. Unfortunately, the theft of Veteran grave markers has recently increased and stiffer penalties are needed to discourage such acts.

•   Cosponsored H.R. 5131, The Lance Corporal Jeremy Burris Act

The bill would create a federal provision that would protect Veteran grave sites in private cemeteries from vandalism. It would make it a federal crime to vandalize the grave of a member of the Armed Services.

• Cosponsored H.R. 2874, the Veterans' Health Care Improvement Act of 2007

This legislation would improve VA's capacity in several areas, including mental health and homelessness by providing grants to conduct workshop programs to assist in the therapeutic readjustment and rehabilitation of veterans who served on active duty in a theater of combat operations.

• Cosponsored the Perpetual Purple Heart Stamp Act, H.R. 2303

This legislation creates a "forever stamp" (a stamp that holds its current value forever) that commemorates those veterans who have received a purple heart.

• Cosponsored the Post 9/11 Veteran's Educational Assistance Act:

Increased educational benefits would be available to all members of the military who have served on active duty since September 11, 2001, including activated reservists and National Guard. 

• Cosponsored the Improve Correspondence Between Servicemen and their Families Bill.

The bill provides a monthly coupon to every member of the Armed Services on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with those hospitalized for wounds received in the war zones. Service members can provide the coupons to friends and family members, who can redeem them at any US post office to send, for free, one letter or package of up to 15 pounds.

Bills Passed With Rep. Mahoney's Support:

• Wounded Warriors Assistance Act of 2007, H.R. 1538 (Passed House and Senate)

This bill takes the first step in addressing the problems brought to light by the inadequate living conditions and the administrative problems experienced by some service members at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and other facilities.

• Traumatic Brain Injury/Rural Veterans Outreach, H.R. 2199 (Passed in the House, pending in Senate)

Ensures that our veterans are properly screened for Traumatic Brain Injury and receive the appropriate treatment.

• Returning Service member VA Healthcare Insurance Act, H.R. 612 (Passed House, Pending in Senate)

Helps ensure soldiers with mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder that are often not immediately diagnosed are treated by making veterans eligible for health care due to combat service for five years after leaving active duty. 

• Veterans Outreach Improvement Act, H.R. 67 (Passed House, Pending in Senate)

Allows the VA to partner with state and local governments to reach out to veterans and their families and help ensure they receive the benefits they have earned.

• Passed The Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act, H.R. 3867 (Signed into Law) This bipartisan legislation helps small businesses compete for federal government contracts by placing veteran small business owners at the top of the priority list for receiving federal contracts.  It will help eliminate the barriers that veterans face in receiving non-competitive contracts.

• Passed H.R. 2366, the SBA Veterans' Programs Act of 2007 (Passed House, Pending in Senate)

Creates additional Veterans Business Outreach Centers and offers business development services targeted to veterans.

Related Press Releases

Mahoney Addresses Florida Battle of The Bulge Veterans

Mahoney Delivers on Veterans' Health Care

Mahoney Commends Largest Funding Increase to Veterans' Health Care in History

Mahoney Stands Up for Troops and Veterans 

Congress to SEALs Museum: "It's Official"

Mahoney Navy SEAL Bill Passes House

Mahoney Statement on Resignation of VA Secretary Jim Nicholson

Mahoney Speaks in Support of Veterans Appropriations Bill

Mahoney Cosponsors Bill to Freeze VA Bonuses until Case Backlog is Significantly Reduced

Mahoney Creates Veterans Advisory Council

Mahoney Visits Iraq Soldier at Walter Reed Army Medical Center