Issue Position: Committed to our Veterans

Issue Position

In the 110th Congress, I have supported multiple efforts to offer appropriate assistance to our brave men and women of the military and their families.

Improving Veterans Housing

I join many of my House of Representatives colleagues in requesting support for the construction of veterans' homes in California and several other states in critical need.

Currently, California maintains three state veterans' homes in Chula Vista, Barstow , and Yountville, which cares for 1,700 veterans. With multiple Marine, Navy, Army, and Air Force stations, and the desire to retire in California, the demand for veteran home space in California is high. Many veterans are placed on a waiting list for care.

California is working with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to construct five additional homes in West Los Angeles, Lancaster, Ventura County , Fresno, and Redding , which will provide health care and homes to more than 1,000 veterans. Construction in these areas will help alleviate the backlog of veterans in need of housing in the San Diego area.

I have joined my House colleagues in asking for continued federal grant match funding. For every $35 dollars California spends on construction and maintenance of these homes, the federal government contributes $65 dollars.

Expanding Cal-Vet Home Loan Opportunities

I support H.R. 551, the "Home Ownership for America 's Veterans Act of 2007." This bill will allow veterans entering the military after 1977 to participate in the Cal-Vet home loan program. The Cal-Vet program offers below market interest rate and little to no money down on home loans for qualified veterans purchasing a home in California . Currently, military before 1977 are afforded this opportunity. This benefit should be extended to our many members of the armed forces entering after this date.

Remaking Wounded Warrior Care (H.R. 1538)

After visiting the Naval Hospital and Wounded Warrior Clinic at Camp Pendleton in March, I was pleased to see firsthand that our Marines are receiving outstanding care.

Unfortunately, this level of care has not been the case at all care facilities across the United States . Following the news of extreme care challenges at the Walter Reed Army Medical Facility in Washington, DC , I have joined my colleagues to demand shift action to correct these inequities.

In response, the House has approved multiple measures to provide additional case managers, encourage more coordinated communication between health professions, and add additional patient advocates.

Supporting Military Families

In July 2007, the President's Commission on Care for Returning Wounded Warriors (the Dole-Shalala Commission) concluded that families are critical to the injured service member's recovery process. For many the most severely injured, it is not uncommon for their families to remain by their side for six months or more. Such a commitment can put an enormous strain on family resources.

In response, I have taken the Dole-Shalala Commission recommendation, and introduced H.R. 3391 to expand the Family and Medical Leave Act to allow family member to continue to care for the most severely injured for up to six months.

Addressing Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) have become a terrible byproduct of improvised explosive devises commonly used by enemies in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Because TBI injuries and other mental health concerns are not realized immediately after injury, I voted to require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to screen post-combat veterans for TBI.

Additionally, I supported H.R. 2199, the "Traumatic Brain Injury Health Enhancement and Long-Term Support Act of 2007." This legislation instructs the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a program that incorporates TBI long-term care treatment, education, research, and counseling.

Also realizing many injuries are latent, Congress unanimously voted to expand Veterans Administration health care for combat veterans from two years following then end of active duty to five years.

Treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Similar to Traumatic Brain Injuries, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has become a devastating condition affecting many of our returning service members. I am encouraged to learn the VA is aggressively addressing the devastating impacts of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I support the VA's efforts to screen every Iraq and Afghanistan veteran who enters any of the 1,400 medical facilities around the nation. As knowledge of this issue and effective treatments continues to evolve, the VA, the Department of Defense, and the private medical community should continue to work together to properly screen and treat our service members.

It is important that Congress remain vigilant to addressing veteran care issues. I remain committed to those that have bravely served our nation.

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