Issue Position: Veterans

Issue Position

Issue Position: Veterans

Since the days of the American Revolution, America's fighting men and women have sacrificed to ensure that our great nation stays free. As a country, we owe a debt of gratitude to the veterans of our armed forces.

Our government has made a number of promises to the men and women in uniform. Sadly, these promises of healthcare, education and other benefits have existed more in rhetoric than in reality. As a combat veteran, I consider these promises made to military retirees and veterans a sacred obligation that must be upheld.

Besides fighting to ensure healthcare, pensions and benefits for veterans and members of the armed forces, I am also working to enact a new GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century. In 1944, we honored the Greatest Generation through a Bill of Rights, and in each major military conflict since, we have honored the service of our soldiers through a new GI Bill. The new GI Bill of Rights focuses on improving veterans' healthcare, including mental healthcare, to meet the needs of our returning troops. This bill would also end the Disabled Veterans' Tax, which prevents disabled veterans from receiving military retiree and veterans' disability benefits concurrently.

We must never shrink from our duty to care for America's defenders. We should be held accountable for our promises to them. By ending the unfair taxes on military families and disabled military retirees and improving veterans' healthcare to keep up with the growing number of veterans, we can honor our veterans through action and tangible assistance instead of empty words and promises. Please know that I am working with my colleagues in Congress to ensure that the growing needs of veterans are not neglected in the 109th Congress.

Source