Veterans
There's nothing more important than keeping our promise to the men and women who have served our country in the armed forces. But that promise doesn't end when our nation's heroes return home from battle. It's something I take very seriously, and it's why I've fought to make sure that America's veterans have access to the benefits they've earned through their service. That's why, in Congress, I:
- Supported $17.7 billion in increases to veterans' health since 2007, a 40% increase.
- Helped pass the new G.I. Bill for the 21st century, to ensure that all veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan have the opportunity to get a four-year college education.
- Voted in favor of giving businesses a $2,400 tax credit for hiring unemployed veterans.
- Voted to get nearly 2 million veterans a $250 economic recovery payment.
- Supported H.R. 1804, to end the Military Families Tax; the bill allows for the families of military servicemen and women who are killed in action or die of service-connected injuries to receive both Dependency and Indemnification Compensation (DIC) and survivors benefits.
- Introduced the Disabled Veterans Fairness Act in the 109th and 110th Congresses, to increase the mileage reimbursement rate for veterans who have to travel long distances for medical care. The bill was included as an amendment to the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act of 2007. Since February 2008, the rate of reimbursement has increased from 11 cents per mile to 28.5 cents per mile, to the current rate of 41.5 cents per mile.
- Voted for the 2009 Supplemental Appropriations Act, which included a provision for service members who have had their enlistments involuntarily extended since 9/11; the provision would provide an extra $500 payment for every month they were held under stop-loss orders.
- Voted for H.R. 3082, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act of 2010. The bill includes $108.9 billion to the VA, for veterans' care, claims processors, and facility upgrades, and $45.1 billion to the Veterans Health Administration.
- Have fought to get a VA Community-based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Statesboro, GA, to offer primary care and mental health services for approximately 5,000 enrolled veterans. Currently, the plan is undergoing a technical review by the VA.
- Host a yearly Veterans Town Hall tour, where I tour the district, meeting with veterans and veterans' families through the 12th District to hear what's on their mind.
If you are having any trouble with the VA, my office can help. I've got offices in Augusta, Savannah, Vidalia, Sandersville, and Milledgeville, and folks are on hand to offer any assistance. The contact information for my district offices can be found at the bottom of this page.
More on Veterans
The jobs fair is open exclusively for veteran job seekers, active-duty military members, Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses starting at 9:00 a.m. At 8:00 a.m., veteran job seekers, active duty military members, Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses can participate in a career building workshop prior to meeting with prospective employers.
At 10:00 a.m., the jobs fair will be open to the general public. The general public can participate in the career building workshops at 9:00 a.m., prior to meeting with employers.
WASHINGTON - U.S. Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) today announced special veterans’ office hours throughout the 12th District during next week’s Congressional District Work Period. Congressman Barrow’s office is able to intervene on a veteran’s behalf if he or she is having problems connecting with the Department of Veterans Affairs or getting their benefits. Officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Georgia Department of Veterans Services, and several veterans’ service organizations (VSO’s) will be present to help veterans with claims.
Rep. John Barrow and a Republican congressman from Louisiana announced Tuesday they want a special prosecutor to investigate misconduct at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Legislation would ask the Justice Department to take the action and is expected to be filed Wednesday. It comes after a VA audit found more than 57,000 veterans nationwide waiting more than 90 days for an appointment. In some cases, schedulers were told by supervisors to alter appointment request dates to make wait times appear shorter.
WASHINGTON - U.S. Congressmen John Barrow (D-GA) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) announced today they will introduce a bipartisan resolution in the House of Representatives calling on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate misconduct at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a bill introduced by Congressman John Barrow (GA-12), House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller (F-FL), and a bipartisan coalition of members of the House of Representatives to address the immediate problems within the Department of Veterans Affairs. The legislation, among other things, will allow veterans to receive access to health care without facing further delays. The bill, the Veterans Access to Care Act, H.R. 4810, passed the House by a vote of 426-0.
House lawmakers unanimously passed a bill Tuesday to eliminate employee bonuses for three years and allow patients within the Department of Veterans Affairs to receive government-funded treatment outside the system under certain circumstances.
The Veteran Access to Care Act, co-sponsored by Rep. John Barrow, D-Augusta, passed by a 426-0 vote.
Rep. John Barrow has called on the acting inspector general of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to investigate potential wrongdoings in Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center’s radiology department.
Barrow’s request followed a report by a local NBC affiliate that raised allegations that a doctor in the radiology department misread patient scans and ordered “unnecessary, and often invasive medical, procedures,” according to a letter Barrow sent Wednesday to Acting Inspector General Richard J. Griffin.
Too much job security is part of the problem in the Department of Veterans Affairs and its medical system, U.S. Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga., said Wednesday in Statesboro.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) today released the following statement on the resignation of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Eric Shinseki, and the appointment of Acting Secretary, Sloan Gibson.
Congressman Barrow said: