Veterans

Southwest Florida has the fourth largest veterans population in the country.  We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the brave men and women of the armed services who have answered the call to defend our nation and our freedom at home and abroad.  That's why I'm fighting to ensure America keeps it promises to our veterans. 

Among the measures I support to improve care for veterans include:

Concurrent Receipt: For too long, disabled military retirees have been prohibited from receiving their full retirement pay concurrent with VA disability pay.  I support bipartisan legislation that would allow veterans to receive both their military retirement pay and their disability compensation.

Wounded Warrior Assistance Act: In early 2007, as a result of the investigations made about the quality of care at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C., Congress passed the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act (H.R. 1538).  This important legislation, which I was proud to support, will make the transition from the Department of Defense health care system to the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system seamless for all servicemembers.  It will also make comprehensive improvements to medical care and related administrative procedures for troops injured in combat and other military outpatients.  No veteran should ever have to wait to receive the care and benefits to which they are entitled.

G.I. Bill: Our great nation has a 60-year tradition of offering educational assistance to returning veterans. The G.I. Bill of the World War II era sparked a period of great economic growth and expansion for a whole generation of Americans. I firmly believe that a new G.I. Bill holds the same sort of opportunities for today's generation of returning soldiers and new veterans. I am a cosponsor of the bipartisan Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act (H.R. 5740), which would increase educational benefits to all members of the military who have served on active duty since September 11, 2001, including active reservists and members of the National Guard. The bill would strengthen the current Montgomery G.I. Bill, which is primarily designed for peacetime, and not wartime, service. A strong G.I. Bill will have a positive impact on military recruitment and give our brave servicemen and women the right to a bright future - one they have selflessly earned. UPDATE: On June 30, 2008, President Bush signed H.R. 2642, the Supplemental Appropriations Act, into law, which funds military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Included in the legislation was language (similar to H.R. 5740) to increase educational benefits for active military personnel with six years of service and give them the opportunity to transfer their benefit to spouses or children.

Veterans' Health Care: Veterans deserve the best health care possible.  That's why I strongly supported several bills that would improve health care benefits for those who have bravely served our country.  In 2007, Congress passed legislation that would authorize new research centers for traumatic brain injuries (the Traumatic Brain Injury Health Enhancement and Long-Term Support Act, H.R. 2199), as well as legislation that would require chiropractic care be made available at all VA medical centers within the next four years (the Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act, H.R. 1470).  The House also passed legislation (the Early Access to Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits Act) to extend eligibility for vocational rehabilitation benefits to disabled servicemembers who have not yet been discharged from the military.

Full-Service VA Hospital in Southwest Florida:  I have been an ardent supporter of enhancing services for Southwest Florida veterans, particularly the construction of the new VA outpatient clinic in Cape Coral.  This new, 200,000-square foot outpatient and speciality clinic near Diplomat Parkwayand Corbett Road will replace the 71,000-square foot clinic in Fort Myers and its completion is anticipated by 2011.  Visit the following website link for updates from the VA on the construction of this clinic: http://www.baypines.va.gov/news/LeeCountyOPC.asp.

In addition, I have been fighting for the construction of a full-service VA hospital in Southwest Florida so we can expand the number of services available to our veterans.  It's a travesty that Southwest Florida veterans have to travel several hours to receive hospital care, and these new facilities will help meet the needs of our rapidly growing veterans population.

Office Locations

  • Washington, D.C.

    115 Cannon House
    Office Building
    Washington, D.C. 20515
    Phone: 202-225-2536
    Fax: 202-226-0439
  • Cape Coral, FL

    804 Nicholas Parkway E.
    Suite 1
    Cape Coral, FL 33990
    Phone: 239-573-5837
    Fax: 239-573-9125
  • Naples, FL

    3299 Tamiami Trail East
    Suite 105
    Naples, FL 34112
    Phone: 239-252-MACK (6225)
    Fax: 239-252-8065
Office Locations Map