Congressman Joe Heck

Representing the 3th District of Nevada
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Veterans

As an active member of the Army Reserve for more than 20 years, I have a deep admiration and appreciation for my fellow servicemen and women, and their families. Whether it is meeting with my veterans advisory panel and speaking with local veterans groups or working on legislation in Washington, being a strong advocate for veterans is something I take very seriously. I am fully committed to improving the welfare and quality of life for our veterans and their families, surviving spouses, and current members of our Armed Services.

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VIDEO - Rep. Heck Visits Veterans Village to Discuss Combatting Veterans Homelessness

 

VIDEO - Rep. Joe Heck Visits the United States Marine Corps War Memorial

 

PRESS RELEASE - House Passes Heck Bill to Name Laughlin VA Clinic for Local Veteran

WASHINGTON - The House of Representatives today passed legislation introduced by Congressman Joe Heck (NV-03) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Laughlin, Nevada in honor of Master Chief Petty Officer Jesse Dean.  The bill passed the House by unanimous voice vote... Read more here.

 

VIDEO - Rep. Heck Urges House to Name Laughlin VA Clinic for Master Chief Jesse Dean

 

PRESS RELEASE - Heck Applauds House Passage of Military Construction, Veterans Affairs Bill

WASHINGTON - Congressman Joe Heck (NV-03) today applauded House passage of H.R. 4974, the Fiscal Year 2017 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill, legislation that funds the Veterans Administration (VA) and critical military infrastructure and quality-of-life programs.

"This bill sends a strong signal that the House stands by our veterans, our troops, and our military families," Rep. Heck said. "By increasing funding in this bill we will ensure our veterans get the timely, quality care they deserve while prioritizing funding for military housing, healthcare, and critical construction projects abroad. Our service members and their families deserve the highest level of support and this bill provides them the assurance that they will be taken care of." Read more here.

 

PRESS RELEASE - Heck Applauds Veterans' Affairs Committee Passage of Physician Assistant Employment and Education Act

WASHINGTON - Congressman Joe Heck (NV-03) today applauded House Committee on Veterans' Affairs adoption of H.R. 3974, The Grow Our Own Directive: Physician Assistant Employment and Education Act of 2015, bipartisan legislation introduced by Rep. Heck and Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH).

The bill, which is aimed at speeding access to care within the VA and providing job opportunities for veterans, was adopted on a unanimous voice vote and now can be considered by the full House of Representatives.

"No one is better qualified to care for our veterans than veterans themselves," Rep. Heck said. "We are facing a shortage of physicians and PAs within the VA, making this program long overdue. This bill will help us achieve two critically important goals: improving access to care at the VA and providing job opportunities for separated service members. I thank Chairman Jeff Miller for his leadership in moving this bill through the committee and look forward to supporting it on the House floor." Read more here.

 

VIDEO - Rep. Heck's VA medical marijuana amendment passes

 

PHOTO - House Passes Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act

 

PHOTO - Rep. Joe Heck Participates in Boot Campaign Event at Garrett Junior High School in Boulder City

 

IN THE NEWS - One View: Veterans deserve a higher standard of care

The VA failed us. That much is clear after nearly two years of shocking headlines — secret wait lists, months-long appointment times, veteran deaths. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs wants us to believe more money will finally help them deliver the health care Nevada’s veterans have earned. Yet the VA’s latest budget request of over $180 billion won’t change much... Policymakers will also have a major role to play. VA administrators and members of Congress should follow the example of leaders like U.S. Rep. Joe Heck, who has provided veteran-focused oversight and policy recommendations during the VA’s time of crisis... Read more here.

 

PHOTO - Heck meets with Nevada Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

 

IN THE NEWS - Heck's Piggybacked Veterans Housing Measure Clears House

Legislation by U.S. Rep. Joe Heck to help reduce homlessness among veterans once again passed the House on Tuesday, this time as part of another measure. "It's been nine months since the House last passed this bill and HUD's flawed aid and attendance policy still threatens our most vulnerable veterans with homelessness. The last thing our veterans should have to worry about is whether they will have a roof over their head," the Nevada Republican said. "While I commend the outstanding work of the City of Las Vegas and Clark County in meeting the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness, there is still much work to be done around the country in solving the problem of veterans homelessness," added Heck... Read more here.

 

PHOTO - Heck holds joint meeting of Veterans and National Security Advisory Panels with special guest House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Jeff Miller 

 

PHOTO - Rep. Heck Hosts Hearing to Help Military Surviving Spouses

The Military Personnel Subcommittee conducted a hearing on Wednesday, December 9, 2015, entitled, "Concurrent Receipt of Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)." The objective of the hearing was to understand the Military Service Organizations and Veterans Service Organizations views on the concurrent receipt issues of the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). and address concerns and questions raised by members of The Military Coalition and others on the effects of the offset of SBP and DIC. You can view a video of the hearing by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejg9RJler6g

 

IN THE NEWS - FOX 5 VEGAS: Heck bill aimed at improving care for veterans

 

PRESS RELEASE - Heck Introduces Bill to Name Laughlin VA Health Clinic

WASHINGTON - Congressman Joe Heck (NV-03) today introduced legislation to officially name the new Laughlin VA health clinic for Master Chief Petty Officer Jesse Dean, a Navy veteran, prominent member of the Laughlin veteran community, and a member of American Legion Post 60.

According to Rep. Heck's legislation, the clinic will be named the "Master Chief Petty Officer Jesse Dean Department of Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic."

"While I did not have the privilege of knowing Master Chief Jesse Dean, it is clear from speaking with community members and veterans in Laughlin that naming the new VA health clinic in his honor is a fitting tribute," Rep. Heck said. Read more.

 

PRESS RELEASE - Reps. Heck, Kuster Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Speed VA Care, Provide Job Opportunities for Veterans

WASHINGTON - As part of ongoing efforts to improve care and customer service at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Congressman Joe Heck (NV-03) and Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) today introduced legislation aimed at speeding access to care within the VA and providing job opportunities for veterans.

"With 23% of PA slots within the VA open, a program like this is long overdue," Rep. Heck said. "This bill will help achieve two critically important goals: improving access to care at the VA and providing job opportunities for separated service members. No one is better qualified to care for our veterans than veterans themselves because they understand military culture and can relate to those seeking care. I look forward to working with Congresswoman Kuster to expand job opportunities for our veterans and improve access to care at the VA." Read more.

 

PRESS RELEASE -- Rep. Joe Heck Statement on Appointment of Permanent Director for Reno VARO

Congressman Joe Heck (NV-03) today released the following statement on the appointment of Ms. Shelia Jackson as the new permanent Director of the Reno VA Regional Office (VARO).

"Nevada's veterans deserve the highest level of care and customer service, so having a permanent director at the Reno VA Regional Office is an important step in that direction. Ms. Jackson brings an impressive resume of service to our nation's veterans to Reno and I look forward to working closely with her to ensure the Reno VARO takes appropriate steps to improve management and reduce the claims backlog so our veterans receive the benefits they have earned and deserve."  

 

IN THE NEWS -- House OKs bill for disabled veterans via Las Vegas Review-Journal

The House on Monday approved a bill that would make it easier for low-income disabled veterans to qualify for government housing assistance. The bill that passed by voice vote would exclude a special "aid and attendance" pension from being counted as income when veterans apply for housing subsidies. Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nev., the bill sponsor, said the pension is intended specifically to help disabled veterans defray the cost of hiring a home aide for medical care, and shouldn't be counted against their need for shelter. Read more here.

 

PRESS RELEASE -- Heck Bill To end Veterans Homelessness Passes House

Legislation introduced by Congressman Joe Heck (NV-03) aimed at reducing veterans homelessness today passed the House of Representatives by voice vote. H.R. 1816, the Vulnerable Veterans Housing Reform Act of 2015, ends the flawed Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) policy of counting the aid and attendance benefit for low-income, disabled veterans as regular income. Read more here.

 

VIDEO -- Rep. Heck's Bill To End Veterans Homelessness Passes House

 

PHOTO -- Heck Meets With Members of the Nevada Chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars

 

PRESS RELEASE -- Heck Cuts Ribbon at Laughlin VA Health Clinic Grand Opening

Congressman Joe Heck (NV-03) today cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Laughlin VA Health Clinic. Today's ribbon cutting marks the culmination of years of work between the public and private sectors to bring a VA facility to Laughlin. "Today is a great day for the city of Laughlin, for the veterans of Laughlin, and for the state of Nevada," Rep. Heck said. Read more here.

 

PRESS RELEASE -- VA Embraces Heck Proposal as Part of New National Medical Professional Recruitment Effort

As part of ongoing efforts to improve care and customer service at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), new VA Secretary Robert McDonald today announced the start of a national recruitment effort to bring "the best and brightest health professionals to the Department of Veterans Affairs." One of the policies included in this effort is based on legislation introduced by Congressman Joe Heck (NV-03).  According to the VA's press release, one step in the new national recruitment effort is "Improving the credentialing process for VA and DoD health care providers which will involve sharing credentials to speed up the process." Read more here.

 

IN THE NEWS -- Heck holds hearing on benefits denied to Filipino-American veterans via Las Vegas Sun

With time running out to resolve the disputes, Heck held a hearing today on the issue in his first role as chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the House of Armed Services Committee. “It is not about money for these men,” said Heck, who represents Henderson and Boulder City. “They are, however, eager to have their service recognized.” Read more here.

 

EDITORIAL -- Heck bill a good start toward bigger VA reform

Las Vegas Review-Journal: Rep. Heck’s bill provides a common-sense, low-cost and timely improvement to a bad situation. VA officials in Southern Nevada have acknowledged that it can take up to six months for veterans to see an ophthalmologist for cataract surgery, and an agreement such as the one Rep. Heck is proposing would be extremely helpful for Las Vegas veterans, as well as veterans in other jurisdictions that are home to both VA and military base hospitals. Read more here.

 

VIDEO -- Rep. Joe Heck: Working to Solve the Problems at the VA

 

VIDEO -- Rep. Joe Heck on the Problems at the VA

 

More on Veterans

Oct 25, 2016 Press Release

LAS VEGAS - Amid reports that members of the California National Guard are being forced to repay enlistment bonuses given during the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Congressman Joe Heck (NV-03), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, will join with members of the National Guard and Reserve Component Caucus in sending a letter to Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter urging the Department of Defense to "immediately halt all ongoing efforts to recoup these

Sep 26, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON - After passing the House and Senate unanimously, legislation introduced by Congressman Joe Heck (NV-03) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Laughlin, Nevada in honor of Master Chief Petty Officer Jesse Dean was signed into law by President Obama.

Rep. Heck was instrumental in helping bring the VA clinic to Laughlin and attended the ribbon cutting ceremony in February of 2015.

Aug 1, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON -- Legislation introduced by Congressman Joe Heck (NV-03) called the Vulnerable Veterans Housing Reform Act (H.R. 1816) was signed into law Friday as part of H.R. 3700, the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act. The House passed the bill by a vote of 427-0 in February and the Senate approved the measure on July 15. 

May 24, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON - The House of Representatives today passed legislation introduced by Congressman Joe Heck (NV-03) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Laughlin, Nevada in honor of Master Chief Petty Officer Jesse Dean.  The bill passed the House by unanimous voice vote.

Rep. Heck spoke on the House floor during debate on the bill, highlighting Dean's Navy service and his dedication to fellow Laughlin veterans. A video of his remarks can be seen by clicking below.

May 19, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON - Congressman Joe Heck (NV-03) today applauded House passage of H.R. 4974, the Fiscal Year 2017 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill, legislation that funds the Veterans Administration (VA) and critical military infrastructure and quality-of-life programs.

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