Helping Veterans with Trained Service Dogs

Floor Speech

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Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Madam Speaker, for far too long, we have failed to serve veterans struggling with the invisible wounds of war, veterans who nearly gave everything to us.

From veterans who served in Vietnam and Korea to those who have recently returned home from Afghanistan and Iraq, Congress has done too little to curb the often-devastating effect post-traumatic stress can have in the lives of the brave men and women who served our Nation in combat.

That is why I am proud today to rise in support of my colleague Representative Steve Stivers' bipartisan bill, which will help veterans in the Lowcountry and across this Nation manage the symptoms of post-traumatic stress by pairing them with trained service dogs.

With the help of a service dog, many veterans with severe post- traumatic stress are able to return to work, attend college, and spend more meaningful time with their families and their loved ones. The brave men and women who voluntarily raised their right hands and swore an oath to defend our Nation deserve nothing less than the opportunity to succeed when they return home.

The PAWS Act is a critical step in the right direction. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this bipartisan legislation.

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