Veterans
Generations of brave Americans have served in the United States armed forces with dedication and valor. The sacrifices that these men and women and their families make are immeasurable. Congressman Lynch believes that one of the best ways to show our nation’s gratitude for their service is to provide them and their families with the quality services and assistance that they have earned.
After the scandal at VA medical centers first became public in 2014, Congressman Lynch, as a Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, supported efforts to fully examine and address the roots of the problems and to increase accountability. Locally, he has also worked with and maintained close relations with the Boston VA Healthcare System to ensure that local facilities provide veterans with the proper care they need.
As a Member of the Subcommittee on Government Operations, Congressman Lynch is aware of the challenges that our veterans face when they transition from the military to a civilian career in the U.S. government, especially if they also have to tend to injuries or disabilities. Unfortunately, newly hired federal employees begin their new careers with no available sick leave, forcing them to choose between taking unpaid leave to attend their medical appointments or miss their medical visits. Veterans working in the federal government should not have to face such a choice, which is why Congressman Lynch introduced the bipartisan Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act. This bill would provide federal employees, who are also veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or greater, with 104 hours of “Wounded Warrior leave” during their first year of federal employment so that they may seek medical treatment for their service-connected disabilities without being forced to take unpaid leave or forego their appointments altogether. H.R. 313 passed the House on September 28, 2015 and the Senate on October 27, 2015.