Issue: Veterans

In the News: Elkhart Truth: Obama signs bill backed by Walorski to study recreation economy, another awaits his signature

 

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Obama signs bill backed by Walorski to study recreation economy, another awaits his signature

by Ben Quiggle

President Obama has signed a piece of legislation backed by U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski that provides for a study of the outdoor recreation economy.

The Outdoor Recreation’s Economic Contributions Act directs the U.S. Department of Commerce to analyze and report on the impact outdoor recreational activities have on the economy, according to a press release. The data will be used to help federal, state and local governments make more informed policy and business decisions when considering rules, regulations and laws that impact recreation enthusiasts.

… “Indiana’s Second District is the RV capital of the world, so I know how vital the recreation industry is to our nation’s economy,” said Walorski, who is also the House RV Caucus co-chairwoman. “I am honored to be a co-sponsor of the REC Act, which will ensure we have a full picture of the economic impact of these businesses and the jobs they create so we can keep this industry growing.”

NDAA BILL

Walorski also saw Congress approve another bill she had been actively working on, the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act. She authored a provision of the bill that will support camps providing assistance to children from military families who have experienced or live in traumatic situations, according to a press release.

… “Military families make enormous sacrifices in service to our nation and they deserve our gratitude and support,” Walorski said. “The children of fallen heroes and of veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress and addiction face unique challenges, which is why I fought for this provision in the NDAA. With the bill now on its way to the president’s desk, more of these young people will be able to attend camps that offer help, guidance and healing.”

Read the full story here.

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In the News: Elkhart Truth: Congress approves Walorski’s bill to safeguard equipment used by military veterans

 

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Congress approves Walorski’s bill to safeguard equipment used by military veterans

by Tim Vandenack

A bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski to safeguard the quality of mobility equipment used by disabled military veterans passed the U.S. House in a unanimous voice vote Wednesday, she said in a statement.

“We owe a debt to our disabled veterans, and that includes making sure the mobility equipment they need is safe and reliable,” Walorski, a Republican from the Jimtown area, said.

The measure, the Veterans Mobility Safety Act, calls on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to create new standards for companies that make “automotive adaptive equipment” for disabled vets, like wheelchair lifts and reduced-effort steering and braking systems.

Read the full story here.

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Congress Passes Walorski Bill to Improve Quality and Safety of Disabled Veterans’ Mobility Equipment

Congress Passes Walorski Bill to Improve Quality and Safety of Disabled Veterans’ Mobility Equipment

Veterans Mobility Safety Act Will Update VA Standards for Automobile Adaptive Equipment

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-02), a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, today applauded final passage of her bill to improve the quality and safety of mobility equipment used by disabled veterans.

“We owe a debt to our disabled veterans, and that includes making sure the mobility equipment they need is safe and reliable,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “With this commonsense bill on its way to becoming law, we will keep disabled veterans safe by updating the VA’s outdated policies and setting comprehensive standards for the mobility equipment veterans depend on in their daily lives.”

“Paralyzed Veterans of America members who enjoy the independence and opportunity that driving an adaptive vehicle offers will be greatly impacted by this legislation,” said Sherman Gillums, Jr., executive director of Paralyzed Veterans of America. “I count myself among them, and I am gratified to see the bill taking us in a direction to make adapted vehicles safer and more functionally efficient for our nation’s injured veterans. We applaud Representative Walorski’s leadership and perseverance on this important legislation, and we look forward to the President signing the bill into law.”

The Veterans Mobility Safety Act (H.R. 3471) will require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to set comprehensive standards for providers of automobile adaptive equipment, such as wheelchair lifts and reduced-effort steering and braking systems. The bill now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law.

Congresswoman Walorski spoke on the House floor after passage of the legislation. Video of her remarks is available here.

BACKGROUND

Through the VA’s Automobile Adaptive Equipment (AAE) program, eligible disabled veterans have access to automotive mobility products, such as wheelchair lifts and reduced-effort steering and braking in vehicles. However, the VA does not require any type of quality standards for providers to participate in the AAE program, resulting in some cases of inferior providers improperly installing equipment, causing serious safety issues for veterans and motorists.

The House on Tuesday passed an amended version of H.R. 3471 unanimously by voice vote after it was passed by the Senate. The final version requires the VA to update its outdated policies on adaptive equipment with comprehensive quality standards developed in close consultation with stakeholders, including veteran service organizations, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, and industry representatives.

H.R. 3471 was originally introduced in September 2015 by Walorski, Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36), and Rep. Julia Brownley (CA-26) to ensure disabled veterans relying on mobility equipment receive the best quality, performance, and safety.

The bill also includes provisions authored by Rep. Sean Duffy (WI-07) to improve care for veterans with hearing aids by allowing certified hearing aid specialists to provide certain hearing aid services.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, House Armed Services Committee and House Committee on Agriculture.

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Walorski, Rice, Costello Introduce Bill to Help WWII Veterans Denied Care After Secret Mustard Gas Experiments

Walorski, Rice, Costello Introduce Bill to Help WWII Veterans Denied Care After Secret Mustard Gas Experiments

Arla Harrell Act Would Require Reevaluation of Denied Benefits Claims Tied to Mustard Gas Exposure

WASHINGTON – U.S. Reps. Jackie Walorski (IN-02), Kathleen Rice (NY-04), and Ryan Costello (PA-06), members of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, today introduced legislation to ensure World War II veterans intentionally exposed to mustard gas receive the care and benefits they have long been denied.

“It’s bad enough that American servicemembers were exposed to mustard gas by our own military – but the fact that the VA continues to deny them the care and benefits they deserve is unacceptable,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “We have a responsibility to all those who served our nation in uniform, and it’s time we right this wrong and begin to repay the tremendous sacrifice these veterans made.”

“This is about correcting an injustice for hundreds of veterans, including several in New York, who were exposed to chemical weapons by our own government and have been denied the benefits and care they deserve for decades since,” Congresswoman Rice said. “I’m proud to join Congresswoman Walorski and Congressman Costello in this bipartisan effort, and we’ll do whatever it takes to get this legislation passed.”

“Pennsylvania’s World War II veterans proudly and courageously served their country,” Congressman Costello said. “This legislation would assist our veterans who were purposely exposed to mustard gas during their time of service by ensuring and accelerating their access to benefits from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. I’m proud to cosponsor this long overdue solution for our nation’s heroes in uniform.”

“These men were horribly abused by our government seven decades ago and they haven’t even acknowledged their sacrifice or their mistreatment,” said U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (MO), daughter of a WWII veteran and senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who authored the bill. “This bill is about showing them that we understand what they went through and correcting a horrible stain on our past—it’s already too late for many of them. This could be our last chance to act before it’s too late for them all.”

BACKGROUND

During World War II, the U.S. military secretly conducted chemical weapons testing on American troops, exposing 60,000 servicemembers to mustard gas or lewisite and swearing them to secrecy.

The testing was declassified in 1975, but the oath of secrecy for servicemembers was not lifted until the early 1990s. Since then, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) failed to adequately notify affected veterans of their eligibility for benefits or to provide proper treatment for the chronic and debilitating conditions that resulted from exposure to mustard agents. The VA has denied approximately 90 percent of benefits claims in the last ten years.

The Arla Harrell Act (H.R. 6096/ S. 3023) would ensure affected veterans receive the care and benefits they deserve. It would require the VA and the Department of Defense (DoD) to reevaluate previously denied claims for benefits related to mustard gas or lewisite exposure, with a presumption of full-body exposure in those cases unless either agency can prove otherwise. About 800 living veterans would be eligible to have their cases reconsidered.

It would also require VA and DoD to establish a new policy for processing future benefits claims related to mustard gas exposure. The agencies also would submit reports to Congress on the testing and how many servicemembers were exposed, the high rate of benefits denials, and claims that are again denied after reconsideration.

The Arla Harrell Act, named for an affected World War II veteran from Missouri, was originally introduced in June by Senator McCaskill.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, House Armed Services Committee and House Committee on Agriculture.

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Indiana Delegation Files Legislation to Assist Veterans Harmed by ITT Tech Closure

Indiana Delegation Files Legislation to Assist Veterans Harmed by ITT Tech Closure

WASHINGTON – U.S. Reps. Jackie Walorski (IN-02), Luke Messer (IN-06), Todd Young (IN-09), and other members of the Indiana congressional delegation filed legislation today to assist veterans harmed by the recent closure of  ITT Technical Institute.

ITT Tech ceased operations last week, closing 130 campuses nationwide and impacting an estimated 40,000 students, including nearly 7,000 veterans.

While current federal law allows students to have their federal student loans discharged if they are unable to complete a degree program due to the closure of an institution, there is no similar provision for veterans who used GI Bill educational benefits to pursue a degree.

H.R. 6003 would allow veterans to recover their GI Bill educational benefits if they were using their benefits at a college or university that closes, preventing them from completing their degree. The bill would apply to all veterans who were enrolled at ITT Tech at the time it closed.

“Our veterans fought to defend the American Dream for all of us – we can’t let them lose their own shot at the American Dream,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “We have a responsibility to help veterans who, because of circumstances beyond their control, have been left without the degree they were working toward. This bill ensures they can make full use of the benefits they earned.”

“Thousands of veterans invested their time and educational benefits to attend ITT Tech, and now they are left without a degree or path forward,” Messer said. “As part of our enduring commitment to America’s veterans, we must be ready to assist the servicemen and women who use their benefits to pursue a degree at an institution that has failed.”

“The veterans impacted by ITT Tech’s closure deserve an immediate resolution,” Young said. “The first item on our Congressional checklist must be to make these veterans whole, with no justification for delay. It is my hope to see our legislation move swiftly to passage, as it guarantees every single veteran receives, in full, the education they earned.”

Indiana Reps. Susan Brooks (IN-05), Larry Bucshon (IN-08), and Todd Rokita (IN-04) are also sponsoring the bill.

“GI bill education benefits are a promise that we make to the brave men and women who serve our country, and it’s one that our nation must keep,” said Brooks, in whose district ITT Tech was formerly based. “The opportunity to further your education and develop the skills and expertise for a career after the military is an opportunity that our veterans earn through service. This bill makes sure that every veteran has this opportunity, and protects our veterans when an institution of higher education closes. We owe it to our servicemen and women.”

Messer also sent a letter to the Department of Education last week demanding more information about the potential sale of ITT Tech’s campuses, other proposals offered by ITT Tech to reimburse students, and what actions are being taken by the Education Department to protect taxpayers.

The Department of Education created a webpage to provide information and assistance to ITT Tech students here.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, House Armed Services Committee and House Committee on Agriculture.

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Walorski Bill to Improve Quality and Safety of Disabled Veterans’ Mobility Equipment Passes House

Walorski Bill to Improve Quality and Safety of Disabled Veterans’ Mobility Equipment Passes House

H.R. 3471 Would Update VA’s Quality and Safety Standards for Automobile Adaptive Equipment

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-02), a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, today applauded House passage of her bill to improve the quality and safety of mobility equipment used by disabled veterans.

H.R. 3471, the Veterans Mobility Safety Act, would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to set comprehensive standards for providers of automobile adaptive equipment, such as wheelchair lifts and reduced-effort steering and braking systems. The legislation passed unanimously by voice vote and now heads to the Senate.

“America’s disabled veterans made tremendous sacrifices in service to their country, and we have a responsibility to ensure the safety and quality of the mobility equipment they depend on in their daily lives,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “This commonsense bill will update the VA’s outdated policies and set comprehensive standards for automobile adaptive equipment providers in order to keep disabled veterans safe.”

Video of Congresswoman Walorski speaking on the House floor in support of the legislation is available here.

“As a physician, I know that safe transportation methods are essential to ensuring disabled veterans can access the programs and support they need to live healthy lives. I was proud to work to pass this bipartisan legislation that will result in safety standards for installation and maintenance of safety mobility equipment,” said Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D., a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. “I am deeply committed to ensuring veterans have access to the resources and services that they have earned in service to our nation.”

“Paralyzed veterans who enjoy the independence and opportunity that driving an adaptive vehicle offers will intimately understand the importance of this legislation,” said Sherman Gillums Jr., executive director of Paralyzed Veterans of America. “These vehicles need to be as safe as possible and function properly, and this bill takes us in the right direction to achieve just that. We applaud Representative Walorski’s leadership and perseverance on this important legislation, and we look forward to its immediate passage in the Senate as well.”

BACKGROUND

Through the VA’s Automobile Adaptive Equipment (AAE) program, eligible disabled veterans have access to automotive mobility products, such as wheelchair lifts and reduced-effort steering and braking in vehicles. However, the VA does not require any type of quality standards for providers to participate in the AAE program, resulting in some cases of inferior providers improperly installing equipment, causing serious safety issues for veterans and motorists.

The final version of H.R. 3471 requires the VA to update its outdated policies on adaptive equipment with comprehensive quality standards developed in close consultation with stakeholders, including veteran service organizations, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, and industry representatives.

H.R. 3471 was originally introduced in September by Walorski, Ruiz, and Rep. Julia Brownley (CA-26) to ensure disabled veterans relying on mobility equipment receive the best quality, performance, and safety.

The bill also includes provisions authored by Rep. Sean Duffy (WI-07) to improve care for veterans with hearing aids by allowing certified hearing aid specialists to provide certain hearing aid services.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, House Armed Services Committee and House Committee on Agriculture.

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In the News: Townhall: Walorski: 9/11 Changed The World, Not Our Responsibilities

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9/11 Changed The World, Not Our Responsibilities

by Jackie Walorski

On September 11, 2001, I watched from the other side of the world as our nation came under attack.

My husband and I were living in Romania at the time, working as missionaries to provide food and medical supplies to impoverished children there.

As we watched the attacks unfold on the one American TV channel available there, we felt helpless from so far away and unsure if we would ever see our country again.

But our nation was resilient, and we all witnessed selflessness and bravery and patriotism in everyday Americans.

When I set foot on American soil again, I resolved to do all I could to keep this nation safe and to protect our servicemen and women.

That’s why I ran for Congress and why I feel privileged to serve on both the House Armed Services and House Veterans’ Affairs Committees.

Americans are fortunate to be kept safe by the greatest fighting force the world has ever known, and our military is strong because of our courageous men and women in uniform.

They risk everything to keep America safe and free, and we have an obligation to make sure they have the resources, tools, and training they need to confront any threat around the world.

That’s why the House passed a strong defense policy bill that gives our troops a pay raise, boosts military readiness, and keeps our armed forces on the cutting edge of military technology. And it protects American families from the threat posed by Guantanamo Bay detainees by blocking plans to move terrorists to U.S. soil and adding new safeguards when detainees are transferred overseas.

We also have a duty to support military families here at home, and to get our veterans the services and care they have earned when they return to civilian life.

That’s why we’re fighting to fix a broken VA so it works for veterans. The House has passed numerous bills to hold the VA accountable, ensure our nation’s heroes get timely medical care, and prevent overprescribing of powerful painkillers to veterans.

Americans and our allies continue to face the threat of terrorism and violent extremism, from global networks like al Qaeda and ISIS to homegrown attacks by radicalized individuals, and we cannot rest until these threats are defeated.

The world has changed in the last 15 years, but our responsibilities remain the same: to keep our nation safe, to be ready for the unexpected, and to fight for the men and women who answer the call to serve.

As we honor those who lost their lives on 9/11, let us resolve again to do all we can to keep this nation safe and free.

Read the full op-ed here.

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In the News: South Bend Tribune: Legislative Recap

SBT

South Bend Tribune: Legislative Recap

by Kevin Allen

Here’s a look at what Michiana’s members of Congress did during the past week.

Monday

• The Michiana Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America selected U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Jimtown, to receive the 2016 Colonel Jack Stephens Citizenship Award in recognition of her service to active duty, reserve and veteran service members in the community.

Walorski, the daughter of an Air Force veteran, sits on the Armed Services Committee, the Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the Agriculture Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives.

She has devoted a significant amount of her time in Congress to issues such as providing veterans with better access to services and benefits, according to the association. She has co-sponsored legislation to improve cost-of-living adjustments for Veterans Affairs beneficiaries and require any public institution accepting GI Bill education benefits to offer in-state tuition rates to all veterans. She also has pressed the VA to reduce its service backlog.

Tuesday

• U.S. Rep Jackie Walorski R-Jimtown visited Plymouth to see nutrition programs up close and meet with those on the front lines of the fight against hunger.

At the Washington Discovery Academy, which is part of Plymouth Community School Corp. and where 65 percent of students receive free or reduced-price breakfast, Walorski learned about the school’s garden, toured classrooms and joined students for breakfast in the cafeteria. After the school tour, Walorski visited the Marshall County Neighborhood Center, a community organization whose food pantry serves more than 400 families each month.

“I’ve seen hunger up close, both overseas and here in Indiana’s 2nd District, and I am committed to fixing the way we fight poverty,” Walorski said. “As our work continues in Congress, it is critically important that I hear from those who know best what works and what doesn’t.”

Walorski has been working in Congress to study federal anti-poverty and anti-hunger programs. As chair of the House Agriculture Nutrition Subcommittee, she has held more than a dozen hearings on the past, present and future of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps. In June, she joined House Speaker Paul Ryan and several colleagues to unveil “A Better Way to Fight Poverty” — a set of policy ideas for improving the effectiveness of federal anti-poverty programs.

Read the full story here.

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In the News: South Bend Tribune: Legislative Recap

SBT

South Bend Tribune: Legislative Roundup

by Kevin Allen

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Jimtown, spoke on the House floor about the Conscience Protection Act, a bill she co-sponsored to reaffirm and codify existing protections for health care providers who refuse to participate in abortions as a matter of conscience.

“This bill reaffirms protections already in place by prohibiting the federal government and entities that receive federal funding from discriminating against or penalizing those who are exercising their conscience rights,” Walorski said.

“Currently, it’s up to the Department of Health and Human Services to enforce the law — and that’s something this administration has not always been willing to do,” she said. “The Conscience Protection Act will give pro-life health care providers and employers full conscience protections without loopholes or uncertainty.”

… Walorski and U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, joined House Speaker Paul Ryan at an enrollment ceremony marking the passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. They joined other members of the conference committee that negotiated a final agreement between the House and Senate versions of the bill.

“This bipartisan, comprehensive legislation to combat prescription drug and heroin abuse is an important step toward ending the opioid epidemic in this country,” Walorski said.

The final version of the legislation included two measures Walorski wrote to protect veterans. One would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to participate in state prescription drug monitoring programs, and the other would allow the VA to use FDA-approved medical devices and other non-opioid therapies to treat chronic pain.

Walorski and Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald toured the South Bend Community Based Outpatient Clinic and met with veterans at the facility. They also held a round-table discussion with local VA leaders and stakeholders.

“I appreciate Secretary McDonald’s willingness to spend time with Hoosier veterans and have an open conversation about the problems in our VA system, the progress we’ve made and the work we have left to do,” Walorski said. “We have a duty to make sure every man and woman who served this country in uniform is treated with dignity and respect. That means getting veterans the services and care they deserve, protecting them from overprescription of powerful painkillers, never again allowing a veteran to die waiting for care, and holding the VA accountable when they let our veterans down.”

Read the full story here.

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Walorski, VA Secretary McDonald Meet with Veterans at South Bend VA Facility

Walorski, VA Secretary McDonald Meet with Veterans at South Bend VA Facility

Discuss Veterans Issues with Leadership and Stakeholders, Greet Veterans at South Bend Community Based Outpatient Clinic

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-02) and Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald today toured the South Bend Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) and met with veterans.

Walorski, a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, invited Secretary McDonald to visit Indiana’s 2nd District during a hearing earlier this year. Walorski and McDonald toured the clinic, held a roundtable discussion with local VA leadership and stakeholders, and greeted Hoosier veterans.

“I appreciate Secretary McDonald’s willingness to spend time with Hoosier veterans and have an open conversation about the problems in our VA system, the progress we’ve made, and the work we have left to do,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “We have a duty to make sure every man and woman who served this country in uniform is treated with dignity and respect. That means getting veterans the services and care they deserve, protecting them from overprescription of powerful painkillers, never again allowing a veteran to die waiting for care, and holding the VA accountable when they let our veterans down.”

BACKGROUND

Two measures authored by Walorski to protect veterans from opioid overprescription were included in bipartisan, comprehensive legislation to combat the opioid epidemic. One provision would require VA facilities to participate in state prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), and the other would allow the VA to use FDA-approved medical devices and other non-opioid therapies to treat chronic pain.

Walorski’s legislation to protect veterans from scheduling manipulations at VA facilities was included in a VA reform bill that passed the House by voice vote. Walorski’s bill, H.R. 4977, the VA Scheduling Accountability Act, reinstates the annual requirement for each facility director to certify compliance with VA scheduling practices and prohibits any future waivers of this requirement. It also requires the Secretary of the VA to submit an annual report to Congress that lists facilities that have not certified compliance and an explanation as to why.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, House Armed Services Committee and House Committee on Agriculture.

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