The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is dedicated to ensuring that America’s veterans get the care and services they deserve. As Ranking Member, my priority is providing veterans with the benefits they have earned through their service to our country.
Expanding GI Bill Education Benefits
The GI Bill provides valuable educational opportunities to those who defend our country. I am pleased that Congress passed a bill last year to significantly expand GI Bill benefits for our servicemen and women. This expansion will enable more veterans to graduate from college debt-free, and includes $1,000 for books and supplies and a monthly housing stipend. I am especially pleased that this new law included a provision authored by Senator McCain and myself that allows career servicemembers to transfer their unused education benefits to their spouse or children.
Making Sure VA Health Care is Funded
It is important that VA is able to deliver quality medical care and benefits to our veterans. That is why I cosponsored and pushed to enact the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009. This new law will ensure that the Veterans Health Administration is funded in two-year cycles, known as “advance appropriations.” Advanced appropriations will help VA get funding on time and prevent any delays in health care services to veterans.
Providing Residency Rights for Military Spouses
There’s no question that military spouses make many sacrifices in support of our Armed Forces. But, even though they frequently move due to military orders, for decades, military spouses have been denied the same residency rights as active-duty servicemembers. This meant that every time military families moved to a different state in response to military orders, spouses were forced to establish residency in the new state. As a result, spouses were required to change vehicle and voter registrations as well as file tax returns for multiple states. That’s why I introduced the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act, which gives the same residency rights that are granted to active-duty servicemembers to military spouses. Now active-duty military and their spouses can choose a permanent state of residence. I am pleased that my bill was signed into law on Veterans Day 2009.
Preventing Veteran Homelessness
I am pleased that a bill I authored to tackle the issue of preventing veteran homelessness was signed into law last year. The Veterans’ Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 allows VA to make grants to provide supportive services that will keep low-income veterans, who are at risk of becoming homeless, in permanent housing. I strongly believe that we must do all we can to ensure that the men and women who have served our nation in the military do not suffer the indignity of going to bed at night without a roof over their heads. By providing targeted assistance, we can make a difference.
Supporting Caregivers
Family caregivers play an important and unique role in helping to meet veterans' personal care needs, both physically and emotionally. Family members who serve as primary caregivers often face significant challenges in caring for their loved ones. That is why I joined with Chairman Akaka to introduce the Family Caregiver Program Act of 2009. This legislation will strengthen support for caregivers and attendants of veterans and would help ensure veterans in need of institutional care have the choice of receiving care from a family member at home. I am pleased that this legislation was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama in May of this year.
Protecting Veterans’ Second Amendment Rights
Unbeknownst to many, veterans who come to the VA for help, but who cannot manage their own financial affairs, are labeled as “mentally defective.” On that basis alone, their names are put in an FBI database (along with criminals) and are denied their Second Amendment rights. I have introduced a bill to stop this arbitrary practice. I have introduced a bill that protects the rights of veterans by ensuring that only a judicial official can determine which names are appropriate to refer to the FBI. Our veterans took an oath to uphold the Constitution, and they deserve to enjoy the rights they fought so hard to protect. My bill has been endorsed by the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS, and Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Exposed to Contaminated Water
Thousands of Navy and Marine veterans and their families who lived on Camp Lejeune have fallen ill with a variety of cancers and diseases believed to be attributable to their service at the base before it was designated a Superfund site in 1988. I believe we owe those who are sick the benefit of the doubt and the health care they need. This is why I introduced the Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act of 2009, which would allow a veteran or military family member who was stationed at Camp Lejeune during the time the water was contaminated to receive needed health care at a VA facility. Camp Lejeune veterans and their families deserve closure on this tragic situation. It is morally the right thing to do. I hope that my legislation will be considered by the Senate and signed into law as soon as possible. To view a video from a committee hearing on this issue, click here.
Protecting our Nation’s Flag
When I see our flag flying I often think of those who have given so freely of themselves so we can enjoy the liberties and freedoms our nation offers. I feel strongly that our flag is a symbol of the spirit, principles, and system of government on which this nation was founded. We should view the flag as a national monument and treat it with respect and protect it. This is why I am proud to be an original cosponsor of a constitutional amendment to prohibit the physical desecration of our flag.
Honoring Our Vietnam Veterans
I recently introduced a resolution recognizing March 30 as "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day." This resolution, which passed the Senate with broad bipartisan support, honors the return home of our veterans after serving in Vietnam. There's no question that our troops served our country bravely and faithfully during the Vietnam War, and these veterans deserve our recognition and gratitude. Unfortunately, when these service members returned home, they were caught in the crossfire of public debate about our nation's involvement in the war. As a result, these brave veterans never received the welcome home and recognition they deserved.