Pelosi Remarks At Unveiling of Bipartisan Hidden Heroes Congressional Caucus for Military and Veteran Caregivers

Contact: Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), and Congressman Jeff Miller (R-FL) joined former Senator Elizabeth Dole and Hidden Heroes Caregivers as they unveiled the new bipartisan Hidden Heroes Congressional Caucus for Military and Veteran Caregivers.  The Caucus will raise awareness and develop and advance legislation in support of America’s 5.5 million military and veteran caregivers.  Below are the Leader’s remarks:

“Thank you, Madame Secretary, Senator, Chair of the Foundation, for bringing us together and all of this.  I want to salute Secretary Dole for her incredible leadership.  She is a catalyst for bringing evidence-based information combined with meeting the needs – between legislative solutions, inside and outside of Congress, and other solutions to help our caregivers, called hidden heroes.

“You’re hidden heroes for what you do.  There are millions of you out there.  You are hidden heroes because some of the injuries you are treating are hidden as well.  So it is my honor to be here with each and every one of you, and with two heroes of our own who have served their country so well – of course, preeminently Senator McCain and Senator Reed on the Senate side – and to salute our chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee for emerging with a veterans bill.  So we are happy to be with you.  And, of course, our VIPs at the moment – our focus: our caregivers.  And you will be hearing from Melissa. 

“The military says: on the battlefield, we leave no soldier behind.  And when they come home, we leave no veteran behind.  Well home is where you are.  With all that, we hope – with the new bill – to make our veterans and those who serve the military well – we will make them whole.  We need to hear your ideas about how we can be helpful.  Thank you, Senator Dole, for giving us this opportunity. 

“I’m pleased to welcome the distinguished Senator from Arizona – again, an all-American hero, Senator McCain.”

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