Veterans

Congresswoman Johnson began her career as a nurse in the Veteran's Administration Hospital. She has been a leader in Congress on issues dealing with veterans. Congresswoman Johnson believes that the utmost attention should be given to issues affecting veterans and their standard of living after service. She believes that America has a duty to safeguard the rights of those who have provided the ultimate service to the country.

In the previous 111th Session of Congress, Congresswoman Johnson has introduced a bill to improve the quality of care at Veteran Administration hospitals. Her bill, H.R. 919, is the Veterans’ Medical Personnel Recruitment and Retention Act. By improving the stature of nurses, pharmacist and other ancillary medical staff, this bill will encourage those most qualified and most familiar with the VA system to return to work and ultimately provide for a better quality of health care for our nations Veterans.

Congresswoman Johnson also supports efforts to ensure that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injuries are treated seriously and effectively screened for as our veterans return home from Iraq and Afghanistan. There is much evidence that the rise in suicide by our nations Veterans is linked to these issues and they must be seriously addressed. 

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed into law in February, makes key investments for our veterans. It provides incentives for businesses to hire recently discharged unemployed veterans, and expands housing assistance for disabled veterans. The legislation addresses deficiencies at aging military hospitals and VA hospitals and improves claims and benefits processing. It also invests in housing for troops and families, supports reservists in the National Guard, provides assistance to military homeowners, and funds warrior transition complexes to provide services to wounded warriors and their families.