Veterans
As the highest ranking woman on the Armed Services Committee, a member of the Congressional Military Families Caucus, and a member of the Women in the Military Caucus, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez works hard to ensure Congress keeps its promise to America’s veterans. She firmly believes that we have an obligation to support our service members on and off the battlefield. It is our responsibility to provide soldiers and their families with the services and benefits they need to facilitate a full transition from active duty to normal civilian life.
Congresswoman Sanchez remains a strong advocate for veteran’s affairs. She continuously sponsors and cosponsors legislation to promote veteran’s education, support veteran’s transition into civilian employment, secure veteran pensions, and enhance the quality of healthcare for women in the military.
Veteran’s Healthcare
Loretta is also a leading voice against proposed cuts to veterans’ healthcare benefits. She strongly advocates for increased services for significantly wounded veterans, including enhanced mental health screening and psychiatric care. In addition to caring for today's retired military, Loretta is also concerned about future veterans, particularly those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. When the New York Times reported that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans were not receiving their GI Bill benefit checks in a timely manner, she led the entire California delegation in a letter to Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, demanding that the delays be resolved.
Women in the Military
By 2016, all combat positions in the army will be open to women. California female residents are the second highest state representation in the military. Supporting both the trends of California and the nation, Congresswoman Sanchez fights for female military interests. She has pushed for measures including the National Defense Authorization Act which addresses the needs of women in the military including access to treatments for infertility and in vitro fertilization. She has previously addressed the Veteran’s Affairs asserting the Veteran’s Affairs must step up as we owe our servicewomen nothing less.
Information on Benefits
For more information on veteran benefits, please see the 2013 edition of the VA's Federal Benefits Guide for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors is now available online at: http://www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book.asp or http://www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book/2013_Federal_Benefits_for_Veterans_English.pdf (pdf version).
This guide serves as an overview of all the benefits that Veterans, their Dependents and Survivors may be eligible for. The 2013 version also contains any changes in these benefits in the past year.
To receive assistance on veterans' employment issues, please see the United States Department of Labor Veterans' Employment Page: http://www.dol.gov/vets/
More on Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46), senior member of the House Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, released the following statement after Secretary Carter announced that the Pentagon will suspend all efforts to collect enlistment bonuses from California National Guard members.
Secretary Carter today released a statement affirming that he has ordered the Defense Finance and Accounting Service to suspend all efforts to collect bonuses from California National Guard members until a streamlined process can be determined.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46), senior member of the House Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, released the following statement following the news that California soldiers and veterans are being forced to repay their enlistment bonus to the federal government.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46), senior member of the House Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, released the following statement after sending a letter to Secretary Carter requesting that the Pentagon halt bonus collection from California soldiers. This letter is following the news that California soldiers and veterans are being forced to repay their enlistment bonus and student loans.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46), senior member of the House Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, released the following statement following the death of Chief Petty Officer Jason C. Finan.
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46), senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement in recognition of the commissioning ceremony of the USS John P. Murtha.
On Saturday, October 8th family and friends gathered at Penn’s Landing to honor Congressman John Murtha’s legacy by commissioning the USS John P. Murtha. This U.S. Navy Ship is part of a line of the most advanced warships and will be used primarily to transport and support U.S. Marines.