Veterans
Since my first days in Congress, I have promised to leave no veteran behind and every day I work to fulfill that promise. Our men and women in uniform serve with honor and when they come home, they deserve the best we can offer. Having traveled around western and central Wisconsin and visited Iraq four times and Afghanistan twice, I have heard from a number of Wisconsinites currently serving in our nation’s armed forces. It has become very clear that in these challenging economic times we must do more to provide for the basic needs of our troops and veterans. It is critical that we ensure there is a robust VA medical system available so that Wisconsin’s veterans can get the quality care they earned and deserve.
Last year, serious problems with pain management practices were discovered at the Tomah Veterans Affairs Medical Clinic (VAMC). In March of 2014, the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) concluded an investigation into allegations of misconduct at the Tomah VAMC. Unfortunately, they failed to notify Congress and did not post the results of their report on their website. In order make sure this never happens in the future, I led the Wisconsin delegation in introducing and passing the bipartisan Inspectors General Transparency Act of 2015. This bill increases government transparency by ensuring that all OIG reports are published on the OIG website and submitted to the head of the establishment under investigation, the individual or entity requesting the investigation, and Congress.
Additionally, one of the recommendations from the OIG investigation was to create a collaborative pain management team, similar to the tumor board model, to better coordinate pain management in very complex cases. Based on this recommendation, I introduced the bipartisan Veterans Pain Management Improvement Act, which would establish a pain management oversight board within each Veterans Integrated Service Network comprised of health care professionals, clinical patients and/or family members of a clinical patient. This legislation will give veteran patients and their families a real role in VA oversight and help ensure the VA provides better care for our veterans.
Veterans History Project
I believe we owe an enormous debt to our men and women in uniform. A great way to show our gratitude is to encourage them to share their memories and experiences. This is why I authored legislation creating the Veterans History Project, which allows veterans and their families to record their stories and preserve them for future generations. These recordings are entered into the permanent collection in the Library of Congress, where they will serve as a permanent reminder of the sacrifices these men and women made defending our country.
For more information concerning work and views related to Veterans issues, please contact our office.
More on Veterans
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Ron Kind voted for the bipartisan Honoring our PACT Act. This legislation will broaden the definition of toxic exposure, expand access to comprehensive health care services for potentially as many as 3.5 million veterans exposed to airborne hazards and burn pits, and strengthen benefits for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their service.
La Crosse, WI – This week, Rep. Ron Kind joined the Wisconsin delegation in introducing a resolution that recognizes Wisconsin's leadership in creating veteran-to-veteran mentorship programs that help returning service members transition back to civilian life.
La Crosse, WI — Today, Rep. Ron Kind released the following statement honoring our Wisconsin Veterans and Servicemembers on Veterans Day:
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Ron Kind voted for the Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act, bipartisan legislation to support the Boots to Business (B2B) program that helps transitioning service members and their families start and grow their businesses.
Washington, DC – Yesterday, Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) and Rep. Greg Steube’s (R-FL) bipartisan Free Veterans from Fees Act passed the House of Representatives. This legislation would waive application fees for special use permits for veterans’ demonstrations and special events at war memorials on federal land.
Washington, DC — Yesterday, Rep. Ron Kind voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Congress’ annual defense authorization bill. This bipartisan bill supports our service members and their families, invests in technology and innovation, and bolsters our national security.
Washington, DC —Today, Rep. Ron Kind voted for a Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations package to create good-paying jobs right here in Wisconsin, invest in rural broadband, support working families across the state, and expand access to health care for our veterans.
This package also includes Rep. Kind’s amendment to increase support for the Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program. The program provides critical funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage and waste disposal, and storm water drainage in our rural areas.
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) introduced the Charitable Equity for Veterans Act. This bipartisan legislation will expand tax-deductible donation eligibility to all Veterans Service Organizations, regardless of the proportion of war-time veterans the organization serves. The bill was introduced with Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH).
La Crosse, WI – Today, Rep. Ron Kind is highlighting key funding priorities for fiscal year 2022. Each year, Congress considers several appropriations measures which provide funding for government operations and other activities. The appropriations cycle starts with the President’s budget proposal, and appropriations measures are typically debated and voted on through the spring and summer.
Washington, DC — Today, Rep. Ron Kind voted to pass the American Rescue Plan to provide long-awaited relief to Wisconsinites, help schools safely reopen, ramp up vaccine deployment, and get our economy back on track. The package now heads to the President’s desk for his signature.