You don’t have to look on a football field or in Hollywood to find a hero, all you have to do is look into the eyes of a veteran. They are the real American idols. Fighting to provide them with the care and support they have earned is not just a duty, it’s an honor.

• Increase accountability and oversight at the VA hospitals (Read H.R. 1994)
• No bonuses for poorly performing VA Executives (Read H.R. 280).

Cut down on the claims backlog in Virginia. They didn’t wait to answer the call of duty; they should not have to wait for timely medical care. I sent a letter to the Director of the Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center expressing concern over the unacceptable claims backlog and urging action to ensure our heroes are receiving timely medical care.


Provide veterans with the care and support they deserve, by:

• Fighting the Administration’s plans for TRICARE fee increases and cuts to veterans’ healthcare.
• Improving job opportunities for veterans (Read H.R.1412).
• Increasing academic opportunities by requiring public schools to enroll veterans at in-state tuition and fee rates (Read H.R. 357).
• Reducing veteran’s homelessness and provide fair housing opportunities for veterans (Read H.R. 251).
• Supporting disabled veterans (Read H.R. 333).
• Strengthening mental healthcare for veterans.
• Providing ID cards to any honorably discharged veterans, so they can utilize the goods, services, and benefits they’ve earned (Read H.R. 91).

Provide a permanent, annual COLA. We need to provide a permanent annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to the amounts paid to veterans for disability compensation and to their survivors for dependency and indemnity compensation (Read H.R.570).


Received the highest civilian honors from both the U.S. Army and the US Navy for serving those who have served.


Support military families. The heroes behind our heroes sacrifice so much. The least we can do is:

• Protect their access to commissaries and other benefits.
• Help make it easier for military spouses to transition between jobs.
• Protect the benefits of military spouses who have lost a loved one in the line of duty (Read H.R. 1594).

Named the Legislator of the Year by the Virginia Council of Chapters of the Military Officers Association of America and received the AMVETS (American Veterans) Silver Helmet Award for Congressional Service.