WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) offered an amendment to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 Department of Defense Appropriations Act to preserve funding for the Department of Defense Yellow Ribbon Program.
The program provides specialized services to meet the unique needs of National Guard and Reserve combat veterans and their families before, during, and after deployments.  It was slated to be cut by $15.5 million in FY13, but the Altmire amendment, which passed by voice-vote on Wednesday, restores funding to last year's level.

48th Altmire Initiative Passes the House

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) offered an amendment to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 Department of Defense Appropriations Act to preserve funding for the Department of Defense Yellow Ribbon Program. The program provides specialized services to meet the unique needs of National Guard and Reserve combat veterans and their families before, during, and after deployments.  It was slated to be cut by $15.5 million in FY13, but the Altmire amendment, which passed by voice-vote on Wednesday, restores funding to last year's level.

"While I understand the tough budget constraints we face, I think we can all agree that programs that provide services to the brave men and women who risk their lives to serve our country should not be on the chopping block," Congressman Altmire said.  "The Yellow Ribbon Program helps our National Guard and Reserve veterans and their families navigate through the challenges associated with deployment, and I believe it is important to maintain funding for this program so that it can continue to meet their needs."

The Yellow Ribbon Program provides career counseling, suicide prevention, and access to health care, veteran, and education benefits to servicemembers and their families.  According to its annual report to Congress, in FY11, the Yellow Ribbon Program held over 2,100 events across the country, including 64 in Pennsylvania, reaching over 300,000 eligible participants.

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