America’s veterans are some of the most courageous individuals in our country and I praise them for putting their lives on the line in times of unrest. It is important that when our troops return from the battlefield they receive the appropriate amount of heath care and benefits. Let it be known that I fully support efforts to improve health care benefits and retirement plans for our veterans. The 110th Congress was responsible for one of the largest increases in veteran’s health care funding in the history of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The funding was greater than what President Bush requested, but it was necessary in order to treat the more than 5.8 billion patients in 2008 and the 263,345 veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Additional funding went to reducing the VA casework backlog and the average wait time for veterans by hiring 1,800 new claims processors.
I, along with my fellow Democrats have also increased efforts to improve the quality of living for all current military families. The 110th Congress passed legislation to give troops a pay raise of 3.5 percent and to conduct oversight of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and care for soldiers at inadequate medical facilities nationwide. In the 111th Congress we are continuing to improve veteran’s facilities by strengthening Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) care at military facilities and preventing TRICARE fee increases.
Additionally, as a Member of Congress with Fort Gillem in my district, I understand the importance of keeping a commissary in the Metro Atlanta area. I have advocated for the commissary at Fort Gillem to remain open despite the Defense Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC) Commission's recommendation for its closure. I have written letters to the Secretary of Defense voicing my and my constituent’s concern for this facility.
As Congress works through its 111th term, you can be certain that I will continue to fight hard to make sure our veterans get the respect and support that they deserve.
Cosponsored Veterans Legislation in the 111th Congress:
H.R. 1203, The Federal and Military Retiree Health Care Equity Act: Legislation that would amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit: federal civilian and military retirees to pay Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) and TRICARE supplemental premiums on a pretax basis; and a tax deduction for TRICARE supplemental premiums or enrollment fees.
H.R. 32: The Veterans Outreach Improvement Act directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish, maintain, and modify as necessary procedures for ensuring the effective coordination of outreach activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) between and among the Office of the Secretary, the Office of Public Affairs, the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, and the National Cemetery Administration.
H.R. 24: To redesignate the Department of the Navy as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps.
H.Con.Res. 199: Recognizing the 10th Anniversary of the activation of Echo Company of the 100th Battalion of the 442d Infantry, and the sacrifice of the soldiers and families in support of the United States.
H.Con.Res. 206: Commending the soldiers and civilian personnel stationed at Fort Gordon and their families for their service and dedication to the United States and recognizing the contributions of Fort Gordon to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and its role as a pivotal communications training installation.
H.R. 303, The Retired Pay Restoration Act: Legislation that would allow the receipt of both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation with respect to any service-connected disability.
H.R. 333, The Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act: Legislation to allow eligible veterans to receive both retirement pay and disability compensation.
H.R. 1633, The Honor the WISH Act: Legislation to allow service members to designate non-relatives to make arrangements for directing disposition of their remains.
H.R. 270, The TRICARE Continuity of Coverage for National Guard and Reserve Families Act of 2009: Legislation that allows retired members of National Guard and Federal Reserve Components with 20 or more years of faithful and honorable service to purchase healthcare that was available to them during their time in active service or after they reach 60 years of age.
H.R. 775, The Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act: Legislation that repeals the offset of Survivor Benefit Plans (SBP) by Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
H.R. 707, The Home Front to Heroes Postal Benefits Act: Legislation that directs the Secretary of Defense to provide for a program under which postal benefit vouchers are provided during FY2010 for members of the Armed Forces who are serving in overseas operations or who are hospitalized due to a disease or injury incurred as a result of such service. Permits the vouchers to be transferred to another person to allow that person to mail correspondence and small parcels to the member.
Voted in favor of:
H.R. 1168, The Veterans Retraining Act: Legislation that would provide a stipend and moving assistance to veterans who have been unemployed for at least 4 months and are enrolled in a U.S. Department of Labor re-training program, as they are not eligible for VA retraining and education.
