Issue Position: Veterans
Issue Position
We are not taking good enough care of those who have taken care of us. For example, it is important to realize that we promised veterans and their families excellent and affordable medical care as part of the military package. We made this deal with our troops, they expect this care, and now we need to live up to our end of the bargain.
Also, it is becoming increasingly important to look after members of the National Guard and Reserve Components. Members of the Guard and Reserve perform a critical function, and more and more they are being deployed alongside their active duty counterparts, whose forces have been stretched thin by constant deployments. These deployments are for 12 month periods and are often overseas in combat areas. Members and family of the Guard and Reserve who have served and sacrificed alongside the active duty military deserve to be taken care of on an equal basis with their full time companions.
In a time of economic crisis, it is crucial that we prioritize spending. I firmly believe that we should prioritize defense functions in our federal budget and keep our commitments to the heroes who sacrifice so much to defeat our enemies. This prioritization obviously includes traditional military functions such as troop equipment and supplies, but it should also include medical services and educational benefits promised to our soldiers and veterans as part of the military package.
I am the proud co-sponsor of H.R. 2002, legislation that would would allow veterans more time to choose how they will use the education benefits they have earned while serving our country. Currently, Post 9/11 GI Bill provisions specify that if service members elect to transfer their educational benefits to their spouse or dependent children, they must do so before they retire. My legislation would allow for service members to transfer earned education benefits to an eligible dependent for up to 36 months after retirement, with an additional 12 months upon DoD approval for special circumstances.
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