House Votes to Codify Federal Aid for Vets' Treatment Courts

Statement

The House of Representatives this week approved legislation that codifies federal support for veterans' treatment courts, specialized court systems that help veterans coping with PTSD, addiction and other mental issues get needed care. Congressman Pat Meehan, a longtime advocate for veterans' courts, spoke on the House floor in favor of the legislation.

Meehan led the effort in 2012 to secure the first-ever federal funding for these courts. So far Meehan has fought for and won some $18 million in federal support for local veterans' courts in the annual appropriations process.

He has also repeatedly introduced legislation making vets-courts grant funding programs a permanent part of the law, and this concept has now been approved by the full House of Representatives.

"Sixty seven percent of returning vets face mental health challenges," said Congressman Meehan. "As a result, many of our vets end up coping with addiction or other disorders. Tragically, this often means that instead of getting the care they need, our veterans end up in the justice system. Nine out of every 100 inmates in our jails are veterans, many due to repeated misdemeanors."

"Veterans' courts give vets the chance to break free of the cycle of dependency and jail by giving them the opportunity to get specialized care unique to the challenges they face. 256 veterans' courts serve 13,000 vets nationwide," Meehan continued. "I've seen up close how successful they can be in our own region -- vets' courts have been set up in Berks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster and Montgomery Counties -- and I've heard the stories of veterans who have a new lease on life because of the opportunities they were afforded."

"I'm pleased to see that federal funding for vets courts will finally be formally codified into law and I'll continue to fight for robust funding for these courts in the future," Meehan said.

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