Issue Position: Veterans

Issue Position

I will continue to fight for our veterans and ensure that the men and women who have made extraordinary sacrifices for our country receive the support and services they have rightfully earned.

I am committed to helping provide veterans with the quality care they require after battle, and any services they may need in order to transition back to civilian life. The GI Bill provides every returning service member with a chance to obtain a college education. I support legislation that strives to make our veterans career-ready--by providing businesses with tax credits for hiring unemployed or injured veterans and encouraging employers to provide free on-the-job training to veterans. We must do all we can to honor their service and commitment to our country.

Legislation I cosponsored in the 112th and 113th sessions of Congress:

H.R. 333: Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act

Permits retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability rated less than 50 percent to receive concurrent payment of both retired pay and veterans' disability compensation, to eliminate the phase-in period for concurrent receipt, to extend eligibility for concurrent receipt to chapter 61 disability retirees with less than 20 years of service, and for other purposes.

H.R. 210: Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2011

Deems certain service performed before July 1, 1946, in the organized military forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Scouts as active military service for purposes of eligibility for veterans' benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in determining eligibility under this Act, to take into account any relevant service documentation, including documentation other than the Missouri List (the list of all discharged and deceased veterans from the 20th century).

H.R.719: To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the World War II members of the Civil Air Patrol.

Directs the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to arrange for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to honor collectively the World War II members of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) in recognition of their military service and exemplary record during World War II

Requires the Medal's display at the Smithsonian Institution. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Medal should be made available for display elsewhere, particularly at locations associated with the CAP.

Permits the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal, at a price sufficient to cover the costs of the medals

H.R.2115: Filipino Veterans of World War II Family Reunification Act

Exempts children of certain Filipino World War II veterans from the numerical limitations on immigrant visas and for other purposes.

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