Veterans

Home >> Issues >> Veterans

• Helping Waitlisted Veterans at VA Hospitals
• Addressing VA Disability Backlog
• Rebuilidng BRAC-Affected Military Communities
• Wall of Remembrance at the Korean War Veterans Memorial
• Need Veterans Assistance?
• Legislation I Support on Behalf of Veterans

Veterans make up a good portion of Texas’ population, and the 4th District is proud to be the home of over 60,000 veterans. These brave men and women are our family, friends, and neighbors who have sacrificed much on behalf of our country. The freedom we all enjoy is a result of their courage and commitment.

Beyond the deep gratitude and respect America owes its veterans, I believe we have an obligation to not only provide adequate funding for active troops, but to take care of our veterans once they return from war.

I have strongly supported veterans since I was first elected to serve as a U.S. House Representative. As a WWII veteran who used the GI bill to get through school, I know how important and beneficial it is to servicemen and women who want to advance their education and work toward a better future. To that end, I am pleased to continue my support of our troops and veterans.

Helping Waitlisted Veterans at VA Hospitals

On May 28, 2014, the Veterans Affairs office of the Inspector General released its initial investigative report regarding the waitlisting of veterans at Phoenix, Arizona’s VA hospital, which resulted in over 40 preventable veteran deaths. The report confirmed "significant delays in access to care negatively impacted the quality of care" at Phoenix’s VA hospital and that "these veterans were and continue to be at risk of being forgotten or lost in [the system's] convoluted scheduling process." The Phoenix VA system claimed average wait times for initial appointments was 24 days and that only 43% of its 226 veterans waited more than 14 days for appointments. In actuality, veterans were made to wait an average of 115 days before receiving initial appointments and 84% of veterans waited more than 14 days for appointments. The Inspector Generals’ report also revealed that at least 1,700 veterans in Phoenix’s VA health care system were never placed on an official waitlist or scheduled for an appointment.

In the wake of the Inspector General’s report, on May 30th the Secretary of Veteran Affairs, Eric Shinseki, resigned. While it was right of Secretary Shinseki to resign, the investigation continues and Americans await the full report due sometime in August. In the meantime, we must take immediate action and do everything we can to ensure our veterans, many of whom suffer issues stemming from their active duty service, receive quality and timely health care.

In addition to Phoenix’s VA health care system, VA hospitals across the country are now also under investigation. That is why, on May 13, I called on Inspector General Richard Griffin to investigate allegations of mismanagement at VA hospitals in Central Texas. While investigations at the San Antonio clinic are ongoing, I called for necessary investigations to include “the potential misconduct that may have affected veterans seeking care in Waco and Austin. Any individuals found to have engaged in misconduct or mismanagement must face serious consequences.” I also urged Inspector General Griffin to “expeditiously and thoroughly investigate the claims regarding misconduct” and report back to Congress. 

My efforts to address the waitlisting issue also extend to the House Floor where I proudly voted in support of theDepartment of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act; the Demanding Accountability for Veterans Act; and the Comprehensive Department of Veterans Affairs Performance Management and Accountability Reform Act of 2014.

I will continue my efforts to see that hospitals providing poor health care to our veterans are investigated, those in charge provide the American people answers about why this was allowed to happen in the first place, and individuals responsible for waitilisting our veterans are held accountable.

 

Addressing VA Disability Backlog

One of the biggest difficulties our veterans face is obtaining disability benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The two Veterans’ Affairs regional offices in Texas – located in Waco and Houston – are two of the lowest performing regional offices in the country. The fact that thousands of our nation’s heroes cannot receive adequate health benefits to address disabilities from their active duty service is unacceptable.

My staff in the Fourth District offers assistance to veterans in obtaining their benefits from the VA, but additional help is needed to address the very serious backlog problems. That is why I am pleased the House passed H.R. 2189 in October 2013. This bill will assess the claims process and offer solutions to address the backlog so that our veterans receive efficient, effective health benefits.

 

Rebuilding BRAC-Affected Military Communities

Military bases are the heartbeat of defense communities – they provide jobs and economic value to the local community, as well as a sense of pride and patriotism. I am a proud representative of a valuable defense community in Texarkana – the Red River Army Depot, and on October 31 I joined Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) in sponsoring H.R. 3439, the New Markets Tax Credit Military Installation Act of 2013. This bill helps military communities affected by base realignment and closure (BRAC) decisions to rebuild by strengthening the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program.

While I have been outspoken in my disagreement with the Department of Defense for its BRAC decisions at a time when we still have so many troops overseas and there is so much political unrest in unfriendly nations, I believe we must look for solutions. We should do all we can to responsibly help BRAC-affected communities rebuild.

In 2005, when the Red River Army Depot was scheduled to close down due to the BRAC process, everyone in Texarkana rallied together to make our case to the Department of Defense. We were fortunate to save the Red River Army Depot and preserve 5,000 jobs in the area. However, other military communities across the country were not as fortunate. The hard work and efforts performed by the citizens at our military bases continue to help keep our troops safe, and we owe these people for their hard work and dedication. To learn more about this bill, CLICK HERE.

 

Wall of Remembrance at the Korean War Veterans Memorial

In an effort to further recognize our Korean War Veterans, I have introduced H.R. 318, a bill to permit the addition of a Wall of Remembrance at the Korean War Veterans Memorial.

The Wall of Remembrance would honor members of the United States Armed Forces who served in the Korean War, those who were killed in action, are missing in action, or were held as prisoners of war. The Korean War is sometimes the 'forgotten war,' a footnote between WWII and the Vietnam War. The sacrifice our young men paid in Korea to preserve our freedom should not be forgotten. This legislation would ensure that their deeds will be memorialized for all to remember.

In 1995, the Korean War Veterans Memorial was originally dedicated, and many veterans feel that while the memorial is extraordinary moving, the magnitude of their sacrifice is not yet adequately conveyed by the Memorial. The legislation I introduced - funded entirely through private sector contributions and at no cost to taxpayers - will permit a glass Wall of Remembrance to encircle the outer edge of the existing Memorial Pool to allow those who served to never be forgotten.

 

Need Veterans Assistance?

Our troops and veterans are a valued part of our community, and the freedom we all enjoy is a result of their courage and commitment. It is right that we do all we can to repay them for their sacrifices.

My staff and I are happy to help you with veterans’ assistance. Please use the links provided below for helpful information – we will help you to the best of our ability. Thank you for your service to our country.

Contact the nearest office to you in the Fourth District

List of Veterans Resources

Frequently Asked Questions - Veterans

 

Legislation I Support on Behalf of Veterans

113th Congress, Legislation enacted into law

113th Congress, Legislation passed by the House

113th Congress, Co-sponsored Legislation

112th Congress, Legislation enacted into law

112th Congress, Legislation passed by the House