Congressman Dave Reichert

Veterans

Video: Dave Reichert on Veterans

"Thank you for your compassion for veterans and their families."
- Military Order of the Purple Heart

“The first and only time that I have received a "Well Done" on Veteran's Day was from you by phone message. You have always supported Veterans with VA issues. I have not asked for your support with the VA but I know you are there for us. I have continually given out your contact info for Vets who have been admitted to Madigan Army Medial Center to support their efforts to gain VA benefits…I feel comfortable that you are "THERE" to support us!”

- Lawrence, Washington resident and veteran of U.S. Army (retired)

Dave Reichert: Honoring America's Veterans

Congressman Reichert remains a dedicated advocate for America’s veterans. He is committed to providing servicemen and -women with a seamless transition home from active duty; connecting veterans and their families with the resources available to them; and ensuring that veterans are provided with the finest medical care possible, reflecting their courageous sacrifices to defend the freedoms we hold dear.

Dave supports veterans' legislation that:
    - Improves medical care
    - Provides seamless transitions
    - Recognizes service and sacrifice
    - Expands compensation and benefits

His accomplishments and work for veterans includes:

Original Cosponsor of New GI Bill to Increase Veterans’ Education Benefits. Among numerous provisions, the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act (H.R. 5740) increases benefits for all members of the military who have served on active duty since September 11, including Guardsmen and Reservists; creates stipends for textbooks and housing; and grants veterans more flexibility in the use of their benefits. H.R. 5740 is companion legislation to S. 22 in the Senate, a bipartisan bill introduced by Sens. Jim Webb and John Warner, both of Virginia.
Supporting the largest funding increases for veterans’ benefits and medical care in history, including billions of dollars for treatment of traumatic brain injury and mental health care.
Passed a bill to renew and expand a memorial benefit to ensure that all veterans will receive headstones or grave markers recognizing their service to our country at no cost to their families. It had nearly 70 bipartisan cosponsors and was endorsed by the VFW, the American Legion, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Reichert's Grave Marker legislation was signed into law in December 2007.
Passed a veterans’ job assistance bill unanimously through the House in July 2007. The bill improves the government’s responsiveness to the employment needs of Guardsmen and Reservists returning from active duty.
Improved benefits for active duty troops: voted to increase servicemembers' life insurance to $400,000, provide uninsured reservists with TRICARE health coverage, and increase funding for the Montgomery GI Bill education benefit.
Supported assistance for wounded warriors: voted for legislation to expedite and improve the benefits and claims process, require the Department of Defense and Veterans' Affairs to establish a single medical information system, and enhance oversight of military medical facilities.
Supporting concurrent receipt: Voted to speed up the process of permitting veterans to simultaneously receive the military retirement pay and VA benefits that they deserve.
Fought for respect for fallen heroes: fought to protect the families of deceased veterans from protestors who refuse to honor the solemn occasion of a military funeral.

Stop Loss Compensation
Following the attacks on September 11^th, the U.S. government created the “Stop Loss” program to ensure a certain number of troops would be available to combat the war on terror. Under stop loss, many service members involuntary had their enlistment contracts extended in order to retain them beyond their initial end of service date. In doing so, these brave men and women made great sacrifices in order to serve our country and deserve compensation for their extended time under stop-loss.

That is why, in 2009, I supported and successfully helped pass a bill which established the retroactive stop loss special pay (H.R.2346). This benefit allows those whose service was involuntarily extended between September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009 to file a claim to receive due compensation.

As your representative, I want to take a moment to let all eligible vetrans in Washington’s 8^th district know of the benefits available to them. Under retroactive stop loss pay, qualified troops may be able to receive $500 a month for each month their service was extended. Service members, veterans, and beneficiaries of service members whose service was involuntarily extended under Stop Loss between Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 30, 2009 are entitled to the benefit. The Defense Department estimates that over 145,000 troops are entitled to this pay; but only 58,000 claims have been paid out so far. I urge all eligible active duty, reservists, veterans and beneficiaries of service members to submit a claim. To receive this benefit, those who served under stop loss must submit a claim for the special pay by Oct. 21, 2010.

For more information, click here. In addition, if you, or anyone you know, needs assistance in submitting their application, or any other federal issue, please contact my district office at (206) 275-3438.

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