Issue Position: Military & Veterans

Issue Position

I've said many times that a grateful nation not only goes to a Veterans' Day observance or marches in a Memorial Day parade, but shows its gratitude in the opportunities, services, and benefits we provide to our veterans and all men and women in uniform. The budget should never be balanced on the backs of those who serve our great nation.

Bob's Focus
Ensuring veterans have access to affordable, quality, convenient health care
Promoting economic programs for veterans so they can succeed in the workforce when they leave the military
Maintaining a strong military force capable of meeting today's global threats, and fighting to protect the vital missions at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Picatinny Arsenal, Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, and Naval Weapons Station Earle
Protecting women in the military and supporting equal treatment and care for all service members, regardless of gender
Protecting military families by making sure they have the support and benefits they need

Bob's Accomplishments
Improving Veterans' healthcare
Bob helped pass the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act to secure timely funding for the veterans health care system" so the Department will no longer be held hostage by recurring budget battles in Congress. Bob also supported the Veterans' Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act which has helped address the problem of very long patient wait times at Veterans Healthcare Facilities across the country that were brought to light with the scandal at the Phoenix, AZ Veterans' Affairs facility.

Securing jobs for veterans
Bob co-sponsored the VOW to Hire Heroes Act that boosts veteran employment opportunities, expands education programs, advances the Transition Assistance Program, improves transition to civil service, and provides tax credits for businesses who hire unemployed veterans.

Promoting New Jersey military installations
Bob fought to secure more than $389 million for New Jersey military installations, including $49 million for the National Guard to build an Army Aviation Support Facility at Lakehurst and $9 million for the Base Civil Engineering Complex for the 108th Air Refueling Wing of the New Jersey Air National Guard.

Supporting New Jersey veterans' cemeteries
Bob successfully secured increased funding for New Jersey Veterans' Cemeteries.

Protecting women in the military
Bob is a co-sponsor of the Military Justice Improvement Act that would help end the systemic fear victims of military sexual assault confront in deciding whether or not to report the crimes committed against them due to the conflicts of interest posed by the military chain of command's sole decision-making power over whether cases move forward to a trial.

Bolstering the National Guard
Bob co-sponsored the National Guard Empowerment Act that gives the National Guard a greater voice in Pentagon decisions.

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