Veterans
As the son of a World War II veteran and the representative of two military bases, supporting our troops at home and on the front lines is a no-brainer for Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger. In fact, it’s something he has built a national reputation on. Dutch believes:
We owe our veterans proper healthcare and benefits.
Dutch supports military pay increases, opposes TRICARE fee increases and supports tax deductions for supplemental premiums and enrollment fees. As part of his extensive constituent service operation, Dutch helps Maryland veterans access their benefits each and every day and is working aggressively to make sure Baltimore’s VA office eliminates its care backlog once and for all.
In Washington, he supports legislation and funding to keep the VA health care system strong, with clean, modern facilities. He is particularly supportive of services to fight the tragically high suicide rate among veterans and improve the treatment of traumatic brain injuries. He has also secured millions in federal funding for the Trauma Clinical Research Program and the Peer Review Orthopedic Research Program, which work to ensure our wounded warriors and veterans can access the best possible medical care.
Returning troops and veterans deserve quality jobs.
Dutch supports legislation to encourage employers to hire servicemembers who have recently returned from duty or who have been discharged and are looking for a job. He consistently supports federal funding for programs that re-train veterans so they have the skills they need to find work in today’s job market. He supported the “new” post September 11 G.I. bill to expand educational benefits for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
As elected officials, we have an obligation to do whatever we can to ease the sacrifices of our military families.
Since coming to Congress, Dutch has launched two national programs that support our wounded warriors and their families. Operation “Hero Miles” helps citizens donate their frequent flyer miles to wounded warriors traveling to receive care through the military health system, as well as to friends and family visiting them. “Hotels for Heroes” allows the American public to donate their hotel reward points, further helping to defray travel costs. Both programs, now administered through the nationally recognized Fisher House Foundation, have been incredibly successful. Dutch also supports every legislative opportunity to better the quality of life for our veterans and their families. For example, he recently signed on in support of the Housing Our Heroes Act, which aims to acquire and renovate abandoned homes for homeless veterans.
Related Cosponshorships
Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015
Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2015
World War II Merchant Mariner Service Act
More on Veterans
As the son of a World War II veteran, I know firsthand the sacrifice America’s heroes and their families make. I am extremely proud to represent the tens of thousands of active duty servicemembers and veterans who live in Maryland Second District, which is home to Fort Meade, Fort Howard, Aberdeen Proving Ground, the National Security Agency, U.S. Cyber Command as well as several National Guard facilities. In addition to serving on the Defense Appropriations Committee, I also co-chair the bipartisan House Army Caucus and am Chairman of the U.S.
(Washington, DC) – The House Appropriations Committee today passed legislation that includes more than $500 million for improvements at Maryland military facilities championed by Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02). The $251 billion Military Construction-Veterans Affairs funding bill for fiscal year 2021 now moves to the full U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes today announced the award of $748,976 for Baltimore’s Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program. The HUD-VASH program combines rental assistance for homeless veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
(Washington, DC) – Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger today supported legislation authorizing $738 billion in defense-related activities that includes a 3.1 percent pay raise for troops, an end to the unfair ‘widows' tax, 12 weeks of paid parental leave for all federal government workers and efforts to address substandard military housing.
(Washington, DC) – Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger today condemned the Administration’s decision to transfer $3.6 billion from military construction funds to pay for President Trump's $20 billion boondoggle wall at the southwestern border. The list of projects that will now be deferred includes sorely-needed road improvements at Fort Meade, located in the Second District of Maryland, as well as two projects at Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County.
(Baghdad, Iraq) — Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, an appropriator who serves on the House defense subcommittee, last week traveled to Iraq, Turkey and Lebanon to meet with U.S. troops on the frontlines who are working with allies to combat ISIS. Congressman Ruppersberger was accompanied by Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, the Republican Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee on the week-long trip.
(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger today received the Department of the Army Decoration for Distinguished Civilian Service award for his efforts during the 114th Congress to secure critical funding to ensure the Army can meet evolving threats and provide Soldiers with the tools they need. It is the highest civilian award the Army can present.
(Washington, DC) —Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger today issued the following statement on requiring California National Guard service members to repay enlistment bonuses and other incentives:
(Timonium, MD) – Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) last week received the 2016 “Congressional Leadership Award” by the Association of Defense Communities (ADC), a national organization that advocates for communities adjacent to military installations, such as Aberdeen and Fort Meade. Congressman Ruppersberger was chosen for his work advancing policy issues that support defense communities, military families and veterans.
Aberdeen and Fort Meade, Maryland, are both located in Congressman Ruppersberger’s district.