Hare Receives "A" From Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

Press Release

Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL) today announced that he received an "A" from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) in their 111th Congress legislative scorecard.

The IAVA Action Fund is the foremost nonprofit, non-partisan advocate for our nation's returning warriors and their families. The report card is based on the key veterans' legislation that came up for a vote in the 111th Congress and grades every Representative and Senator on their support for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

"I am so honored to receive an "A" from the IAVA," Hare said. "These post 9-11 heroes face a unique set of challenges and I have worked hard to improve the detection and treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, increase economic opportunities for our returning veterans, and enact a new GI Bill for the 21st Century."

The votes graded include Hare's proposal to improve the timeliness of VA health care, a process known as "advanced appropriations." The new law requires Congress to appropriate funding one year in advance of the start of each fiscal year so veterans can be treated effectively and efficiently. Hare has long been a champion of improved funding for veterans. In the 110th Congress, he introduced the Assured Funding for Veterans Health Care Act which would have made veterans' health care a mandatory item in the federal budget, like Social Security or Medicare.

Also included was Hare's legislation to reduce veterans' homelessness. That new law mandates the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs to dedicate funding for a National Media Outreach Campaign on homelessness to inform veterans of the benefits entitled to them under current law, and where to turn for help if they are already homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless.

"As long as I have the privilege of serving in Congress, I will fight to ensure we keep our promises to America's veterans," Hare said.

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