Veterans

Colorado’s Fifth District is the proud home to one of our nation’s most military-intensive congressional districts and to more than 100,000 veterans who have served our country with distinction and honor. It is the countless sacrifices of our servicemen and women that have given us the freedom, prosperity, and way of life that make this country the greatest in the world.  I am proud to have them as part of our local community.

Serving on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I am able to advocate for our veterans. I serve on the Disabilty Assistance and Memorial Affairs subcommittee which oversees Veterans Affairs National cemeteries.

House Committee on Veterans Affairs

Member of Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs

Member of Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations

Southern Colorado VA Cemetery

The first bill I introduced when I came to Washington was a bill to establish a Veterans National Cemetery in Southern Colorado. Working across the aisle with Members of both parties, we are making significant progress on this vital project. Our veterans and their families have waited many years for this, and it is gratifying to see progress being made. I thank all the veterans in our district who have worked tirelessly on this over the years.

Southern Colorado VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic

I am fighting for this super clinic with expanded services because I know our veterans need it. This clinic will make world-class medical care more easily accessible to veterans throughout the Pikes Peak region.   

This new clinic is further evidence that the Veterans Administration recognizes their growing numbers and is committed to providing them the best medical care.

The 76,000-square foot facility is more than double the space in the current two clinics that are being replaced by the new “super” clinic. The replacement clinic will provide primary care, mental health, specialty care, and ancillary diagnostic service for veterans in the eastern Rockies area.

On the 70th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, Congressman Lamborn and his colleagues from the Four Corners states honored Native American Code Talkers on the House Floor. Lamborn thanked them for their invaluable service to ending the second World War.

Pictured with Lamborn, left to right,  Navajo Code Talkers Alfred Peaches and Joe Vandever, Sr.

LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Sponsored legislation

H.R.4107 (112^th) - World War I American Veterans Centennial Commemorative Coin Act to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the centennial of World War I.

H.CON.RES.139 - Congratulating the first graduating class of the United States Air Force Academy on their 50th graduation anniversary and recognizing their contributions to the Nation.

H.R.1660 (110th) – To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery for veterans in the southern Colorado region. Lamborn offered an amendment, which was accepted, to this bill ensuring that the cemetery would be built in El Paso County.

H.R. 797 (110th)– The Dr. James Allen Veteran Vision Equity Act. Lamborn offered an amendment, which was accepted, to this bill, which provides families the option of choosing a bronze V in lieu of a VA headstone for graves already marked by a private marker. Many private cemeteries do not allow a second marker on a grave because it complicates routine maintenance. Therefore, a bronze V would identify a veteran’s grave in a manner that would be universal

Cosponsored legislation

H.R. 290 - War Memorial Protection Act

H.R. 337 - Restore Military Readiness Act of 2011

H.R. 420 - Veterans' Heritage Firearms Act of 2011

H.R. 478 - Military Tribunals for Terrorists Act 2011

H.R. 513 - To prohibit the use of funds to transfer individuals detained by the United States at Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and certain other enemy belligerents to the United States.

H.R. 719 - To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the World War II members of the Civil Air Patrol.

H.R. 743 - Hire A Hero Act of 2011

H.R. 865 - Veteran Employment Transition Act of 2011

H.R. 938 - Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act

H.R. 1297 - Ensuring Pay for Our Military Act of 2011

H.R. 1312 - Jobs for Veterans Act of 2011

H.R. 1658 - To name the Department of Veterans Affairs telehealth clinic in Craig, Colorado, as the "Major William Edward Adams Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic".

H.R. 1750 - New START Treaty Implementation Act

H.R. 1775 - Stolen Valor Act of 2011

H.R. 1811 - National Guard Employment Protection Act of 2011

H.R. 2433 - Veterans Opportunity to Work Act of 2011

H.R. 2628 - Eliminating Disincentives to ROTC Participation Act

H.R. 2815 - To revise the Federal charter for the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., to reflect a change in eligibility requirements for membership.

H.R. 2985 - Veteran's I.D. Card Act

H.R.3421 - Fallen Heroes of 9/11 Act

H.R. 3676 - To amend the detainee provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 to specifically state that United States citizens may not be detained against their will without all the rights of due process afforded to citizens in a court ordained or established by or under Article III of the Constitution of the United States.

H.R. 3662 - Down Payment to Protect National Security Act of 2011

H.R. 3676 - To amend the detainee provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 to specifically state that United States citizens may not be detained against their will without all the rights of due process afforded to citizens in a court ordained or established by or under Article III of the Constitution of the United States.

H.R. 3767 - To grant the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the First Special Service Force, in recognition of its superior service during World War II.

H.R. 3828 - Military Religious Freedom Protection Act

H.R. 4045 - To modify the Department of Defense Program Guidance relating to the award of Post-Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence administrative absence days to members of the reserve components to exempt any member whose qualified mobilization commenced before October 1, 2011, and continued on or after that date, from the changes to the program guidance that took effect on that date.

H.R. 4125 - Protecting U.S. Missile Defense Information Act of 2012

H.R. 4178 - Maintaining the President's Commitment to Our Nuclear Deterrent and National Security Act of 2012

H.R. 4201 - Servicemember Family Protection Act

H.R. 4485 - Credible Military Option to Counter Iran Act

H.R. 5872 - Sequestration Transparency Act of 2012

H.CON.RES. 45 - Honoring the service and sacrifice of members of the United States Armed Forces who are serving in, or have served in, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn.

H.RES. 241 - Honoring the members of the United States Armed Forces, the intelligence community, and the Obama and Bush Administrations whose dedicated service brought the murderous terrorist leader Osama bin Laden to justice.

H.RES. 441 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that further reductions to core national security funding will cause significant harm to United States interests.

H.CON.RES.64 - Urging the President to designate 2009 as the "Year of the Military Family".

H.CON.RES.129 - Congratulating the Sailors of the United States Submarine Force upon the completion of 1,000 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) deterrent patrols.

H.CON.RES.168 - Supporting the goals and ideals of "National Purple Heart Recognition Day".

H.CON.RES.199 - Recognizing the 10th Anniversary of the activation of Echo Company of the 100th Battalion of the 442d Infantry, and the sacrifice of the soldiers and families in support of the United State

H.CON.RES.206 - Commending the soldiers and civilian personnel stationed at Fort Gordon and their families for their service and dedication to the United States and recognizing the contributions of Fort Gordon to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and its role as a pivotal communications training installation.

H.RES.89 - Supporting and encouraging greater support for Veterans Day each year.

H.RES.111 - Establishing a Select Committee on POW and MIA Affairs.

H.RES.225 - Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that general appropriations for military construction and veterans' affairs be considered as stand-alone measures.

H.RES.249 -  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Department of Veterans Affairs should take full responsibility for financing the health care benefits earned by veterans with service-connected disabilities.

H.RES.339 - Expressing the sense of the United States House of Represensatives regarding the hijacking of the Maersk Alabama, the kidnapping of Captain Richard Phillips by Somali pirates, the rescue of Captain Phillips by United States Navy SEALs and the crews of the USS Bainbridge, USS Boxer, USS Halyburton and Patrol Squadron (VP) 8, and for other purposes.

H.RES.377 - Recognizing Armed Forces Day and the exemplary service of the members of the United States Armed Forces

H.RES.445 - Recognizing 100 years of military aviation and expressing continued support for military aviators of the United States Armed Forces.

H.RES.483 - Title: Supporting the goals and ideals of Veterans of Foreign Wars Day.

H.RES.679 - Supporting the goals and ideals of American Legion Day.

H.RES.747 - Congratulating the United States Military Academy at West Point on being named by Forbes magazine as America's Best College for 2009.

H.RES.828 - To recognize October 24, 2009, the 20th chartered flight of World War II veterans through Louisiana HonorAir, as "Louisiana HonorAir Day," and to honor the invaluable service and dedication of the World War II veterans to our Nation.

H.RES.845 - Recognizing the United States Air Force and Dyess Air Force Base for their success in achieving energy savings and developing energy-saving innovations during Energy Awareness Month.

H.RES.856 - Recognizing the Commissioning of the USS New York LPD 21.

H.RES.866 - Expressing support for designation of a National Veterans History Project Week to encourage public participation in a nationwide project that collects and preserves the stories of the men and women who served our nation in times of war and conflict.

H.J.RES.44 - Recognizing the service, sacrifice, honor, and professionalism of the Noncommissioned Officers of the United States Army.

H.R.24 - To re-designate the Department of the Navy as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps.

H.R.174 - To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery for veterans in the southern Colorado region.

H.R.268 - To amend title 10, United States Code, to ensure that every military chaplain has the prerogative to close a prayer outside of a religious service according to the dictates of the chaplain's own conscience.

H.R.292 - Department of Veterans Affairs Energy Sustainability Act of 2009

H.R.293 - Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans with Children Reintegration Grant Act of 2009

H.R.295 -  More Training for Veterans Act of 2009

H.R.433 - Ready Employers Willing to Assist Reservists' Deployment Act of 2009

H.R.442 - Veterans' Heritage Firearms Act of 2009

H.R.482 - Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act

H.R.620 - Jobs for Veterans Act of 2009

H.R.666 - Military Valor Roll of Honor Act

H.R.707 - Home Front to Heroes Postal Benefits Act

H.R.953 - Veterans Travel Tax Relief Act of 2009

H.R.1026 - Fairness for Military Recruiters Act

H.R.1209 - Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act of 2009

H.R.1293 - Disabled Veterans Home Improvement and Structural Alteration Grant Increase Act of 2009

H.R.1300 - Veterans' Memorials, Boy Scouts, Public Seals, and Other Public Expressions of Religion Protection Act of 2009

H.R.1354 - Veterans Eagle Parks Pass Act

H.R.1864 - To provide a pay increase of 3.4 percent for members of the uniformed services for fiscal year 2010.

H.R.2014 - To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Airforce Service Pilots ("WASP").

H.R.2393 - Military Voting Protection Act of 2009

H.R.2632 - Korean War Veterans Recognition Act

H.R.2636 - To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the establishment of a nonprofit corporation to support the athletic program of the Air Force Academy.

H.R.2770 - Veterans Nonprofit Research and Education Corporations Enhancement Act of 2009

H.R.2823 - To amend the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to enhance and improve certain procedures relating to voting by absent members of the uniformed services, and for other purposes.

H.R.3219 - Veterans' Insurance and Health Care Improvements Act of 2009

H.R.3363 - To amend the Small Business Act to improve the preference for small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans.

H.R.3943 - Post 9/11 Troops to Teachers Enhancement Act

 H.RES.906 - Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the United States Air Force Space Command headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.

H.R. 295 – To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery for veterans in the Pikes Peak region of Colorado.

H.R. 1864 – To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide for the automated processing of veterans disability compensation claims.

H.R. 2696 – Veterans' Dignified Burial Assistance Act of 2007 to increase from $300 to $400 the burial plot allowance paid for veterans interred in cemeteries other than national cemeteries, authorizes the use of up to $5 million per year under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) state cemetery grant program for operating and maintaining state cemeteries.

H.R. 3047 – The Veterans Claims Processing Innovation Act of 2007 Amendments Offered on Military/Veterans Affairs Issues