Veterans
If you are a veteran and need assistance with an issue involving the federal government, please visit the casework section of the website by clicking here.
Fighting for NY Veterans
Rep. Israel has long advocated on behalf of New York’s veterans. As of April 2015, Rep. Israel has secured $8.1 million in back-pay for veterans from New York’s Third Congressional District.
While a Member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep .Israel advocated for increases in veterans health care. For fiscal year 2010, Rep. Israel worked to secure $45.1 billion for veterans health care, an increase of $4.1 billion over last year and the largest increase in 75 years. Rep. Israel also worked to pass the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which you can learn more about by clicking here.
Helping Homeless Veterans
In January 2011, Rep. Israel reintroduced his legislation to help homeless veterans, the Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund (H.R. 1136). Rep. Israel’s bill will give taxpayers the opportunity to designate a portion of their income tax payment to help homeless veterans.
On any given night, an estimated 131,000 veterans are homeless. For fiscal year 2010, Rep. Israel worked to secure full funding for Veterans Administration homelessness programs. Total federal spending on homeless veterans for FY2010 totaled its highest level ever - $3.2 billion. That includes $150 million for a homeless veterans shelters grants program and $50 million for a new program to convert unused VA facilities into housing for homeless veterans.
For more information on homeless veterans, click here.
Honoring Cold War Veterans
On Sunday, March 21, 2010, the House of Representatives passed Rep. Israel's resolution honoring Cold War Veterans (H.Res.900). The resolution supports the goals and ideals of a Cold War Veterans Recognition Day to honor the sacrifices and contributions made by members of the Armed Forces during the Cold War.
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More on Veterans
Washington, DC- Congressman Steve Israel (NY-03) released the following statement after his vote to override President Obama’s veto of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA). Rep. Israel was an original cosponsor of the legislation that passed the House unanimously earlier this month:
Northport, NY. –Congressman Steve Israel (NY-03) released the following statement after participating in a House Veterans Affairs hearing today at the Northport Veterans Hospital. The hearing was held to inquire about recent reports of deficiencies at the hospital and a veteran suicide in a parking lot on facility grounds in August.
Washington, DC- Congressman Steve Israel (NY-03) spoke on the House floor in support of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) before it was passed unanimously in the House of Representatives. Rep. Israel, an original cosponsor of the bill, urged President Obama not to veto the legislation. A full transcript of Rep. Israel’s speech can be found below:
Melville, NY— Congressman Steve Israel (NY-03) and Congressman Peter King (NY-02) sent a letter to FBI Director James Comey and Veterans Affairs Secretary Bob McDonald demanding an expeditious and transparent investigation into the suicide of a Long Island veteran outside of the Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). It has been reported that Peter A. Kaisen, a veteran from Islip, NY, shot and killed himself outside of the VAMC nursing facility on Sunday August 21st. The Northport VAMC is located in Rep. Israel’s district, and Mr.
Washington, DC—Today, Congressman Steve Israel (D-NY), Congressman Patrick Meehan (R-PA), and Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL) released the following statement after receiving a response from The Pokémon Company notifying the Members that Nianitic, the developer of Pokémon Go, had removed the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) from the game:
Glen Cove, NY—Today, Congressman Steve Israel (NY-03) presented United States Army veteran, Corporal (Cpl) Benjamin Chrzanoski with six replacement service medals and two new medals for his brave service in Europe during World War II. After working with the Department of the Army to replace six of Benjamin’s service medals, the Congressman’s office discovered that he was also entitled to the Prisoner of War Medal and the Bronze Star for his actions while serving in France.
Washington, DC—Today, Congressman Steve Israel (D-NY), Congressman Patrick Meehan (R-PA), and Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL) sent a bipartisan letter to the developer and publisher of the popular mobile game Pokémon Go, urging them to remove the PokéStops at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) that encourages Pokémon Go users to play the game inside the museum. Reps. Israel, Meehan and Deutch are appointed members of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council.
Washington, DC—Today, Congressman Steve Israel (NY-03) introduced legislation that will help make higher education more accessible to hardworking New York families. The legislation will help provide financial relief to those preparing for college through tutoring and entrance exams, provide tax credits to students and families currently paying college tuition, ease the burden of student loan debt on college graduates and fund grants for community colleges to train veterans for local jobs.
Huntington Station, NY—Today, Congressman Steve Israel (NY-03) presented United States Army veteran, Private First Class (PFC) Ernest Rosa with seven replacement service medals for his brave service in Europe during World War II. In addition to the medals presented by Rep. Israel, French Deputy Consul General Bernard Faro presented PFC Rosa with the French Legion of Honor to recognize his sacrifice and his support to the liberation of France.