Veterans

Congresswoman Lowey believes we must fulfill our commitment to those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces by ensuring veterans have access to high-quality health care and economic security.  In addition to supporting the largest veterans funding increase in history, Lowey has cosponsored a number of bills to ensure that America keeps its promises to our veterans by:

• Allowing all those entitled to the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) to receive full Survivor benefits;
   
• Allowing the receipt of both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation for any service-connected disability;
   
• Amending military retired pay provisions that penalize military retirees and survivors;
   
• Reducing the minimum age for receipt of military retired pay for non-regular service from 60 to 55 year of age; and  
   
• Expanding the legal presumption of exposure to Agent Orange for veterans who served in the vicinity of Vietnam.
   

Veterans Health Care

Congresswoman Lowey was an early and enthusiastic supporter of the Wounded Warriors Assistance Act, which was signed into law to:

• Improve access to quality medical care for wounded service members who are outpatients at military health care facilities;
   
• Restore the integrity and efficiency of the disability evaluation system including cutting through bureaucratic red-tape; and
   
• Improve the transition of wounded service members from the Armed Forces to the VA health system.

Invisible Wounds of War

Congresswoman Lowey voted to require the Secretary of Defense to establish centers of excellence dedicated to Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and military eye injuries.  Congresswoman Lowey is also a member of the Invisible Wounds Caucus and works to promote awareness of, and solutions for, mental health challenges facing service members and veterans.

Education and Training for Veterans

Congresswoman Lowey cosponsored and voted for the expansion of the G.I. Bill, which is making higher education more accessible for our veterans through increased annual benefits and eligibility and service revisions. She also supports federal government assistance to veterans returning from war who are re-entering the workforce through education, training, and job location services.

Memorials

Legislation based on measures authored by Congresswoman Lowey was enacted in 2004 to increase punishment for those who deface veterans memorials.

Congresswoman Lowey has supported legislation to honor the service of veterans through memorials and special recognitions, including:

• Honoring the Tuskegee Airmen, who served bravely in Europe and North Africa during World War II.
   
• Awarding a Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP).
   
• Issuing commemorative coins to honor the distinguished service of those who have been awarded the Medal of Honor.
   
• Granting the congressional gold medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, United States Army, in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II.
   
• Honoring the sacrifices and contributions made by members of the Armed Forces during the Cold War.