Defense And Veterans

Provide for the common defense

Our founders understood a strong national defense was one of the most fundamental roles of Congress as mandated by Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution of the United States. It is important for the United States to maintain a robust military that has the capacity and tools necessary to keep our nation secure from hostile nation states, terrorists, and rogue nations.

Our armed forces continue to be deeply engaged in a number of ongoing military operations around the world and I am committed to providing the necessary funding required to restore the readiness of our military, enhance the quality of life of military service members and their families, sustain and improve the armed forces, and properly safeguard the national security of the United States.

Additionally, I believe we should be very cautious about cutting the budget of our Armed Forces. Eliminating waste and fraud should be an ongoing effort, but I am not in favor of reducing America’s ability to defend ourselves or our allies.

May we never lose sight of their needs in the field and at home

America’s military veterans deserve to receive the benefits they were promised and I am working to reform our current system to offer veterans more choices and greater independence.

I served in the United States Army, Judge Advocate General Corps, from 1983 to 1987. And my daughter was in the Navy and is a veteran of Desert Storm. It is important we fulfill our commitments to our service men and women and their families, all of whom sacrifice dearly on our behalf. As we come to terms with the reality of the fiscal crisis, may we never lose sight of their needs, both in the field and at home. America’s military veterans deserve to receive the benefits they were promised, and I will continue to fight to reform our current system to offer veterans more choices and greater independence.

My staff and I are working to address the disability benefits claims backlog and continue to meet with several senior level officials in the Department of Veterans affairs to find solutions. Additionally, I have held veterans town halls in (insert cities) over the past (insert months/years) for local Nevada veterans with VA personnel and Veterans Service Organizations on hand to provide assistance with casework and to address any issues of concern.   

Sponsored legislation:

H.R. 926, To Improve the Provision of Guide Dogs for Veterans Blinded by a Service-Connected Injury

H.R. 4298, Vietnam Helicopter Crew Memorial Act

Additional Legislation:

http://veterans.house.gov/legislation-page/114th-congress-legislation