Veterans
As long as America faces threats and values freedom, we will need men and women willing to protect us. And as long as Americans serve in uniform, we have a sacred responsibility to support them. New Mexico has more than 180,000 veterans who have served in every branch of the military and it is essential that we provide our dedicated servicemen and women the benefits they deserve. I will never forget the debt we owe to those who have fought to keep America safe. As a member of the U.S. House during the 110th Congress, I sponsored or cosponsored more than twenty five pieces of legislation to support our veterans.
Providing Opportunities for Veterans
When our brave veterans return home, we have a responsibility to help provide them with access to jobs and education. I won passage of an amendment to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to expand tax incentives for employers who hire veterans who have recently returned home from serving our country, including in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
I am also proud to have helped to pass a new Post-9/11 GI Bill, which provides veterans a full four year college education. After World War II, thousands of veterans, including my father, had the chance to pursue higher education thanks to the Montgomery GI Bill. Now we can fulfill the same promise to our heroes from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Read my Post 9/11 GI Bill Resource and Application Guide here.
Supporting Our Disabled Veterans
It is essential that we provide the best possible care to our wounded and disabled veterans. I helped introduce legislation to provide essential support services to family caregivers of severely disabled servicemembers and veterans. The Veteran and Servicemember Family Caregiver Support Act of 2009 establishes a program to provide technical, financial, and practical support to family caregivers of veterans or members of the Armed Forces seriously injured in the line of duty since September 11, 2001.
As a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, I also co-sponsored the The Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act, to better ensure the identification and treatment of soldiers suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I also fought successfully to allow full concurrent receipt of VA disability compensation and military retirement benefits.
Find out about more services for veterans at the following websites:
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services
Request copies of your military personnel records:
