With Independence Day coming up, we’re reminded of the special nature of our country. We wouldn’t be here today without the brave men and women who fought for our freedom.
Today, I heard the stories of veterans in Ottumwa and learned more about the issues they face.
I’ve been a proud member of the U.S. Air Force for nearly two decades and understand the frustrations that many of our active duty servicemembers and veterans face.
We have a duty to stand up for those who answered the call and served our country with honor. Today’s discussion highlights that we still have a lot of work to do.
Since I came to Congress six months ago, I’ve been focused on doing exactly that, including:
- H.R. 3722, the Daniel J. Harvey and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act: This bill creates a program to help members of the Armed Forces adjust to life after the military with a goal of reducing suicides.
- H.R. 2587, the Reserve Component Parental Leave Parity Act: This bill expands parental leave eligibility for drilling Reserve and National Guard members to include fathers and adoptive parents to align with active-duty regulations.
- H.R. 1413, the Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act:This bill requires the VA to allow Members of Congress to use their facilities in order to meet with constituents and hold office hours to help veterans with whatever they need.
- H.R. 1822, the PLUS for Veterans Act: This bill helps safeguard veterans from fraud, abuse, and bad actors who seek to take advantage of them when they seek VA disability benefits.
- H.R. 984, the Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach (CVSO) Act:This bill provides competitive grants to states to improve assistance to veterans and their families regarding veterans’ benefits and programs.
- H.R. 1228, the Major Richard Star Act: This bill prevents the reduction of veterans’ disability compensation and retired pay, or combat-related special compensation, for combat-disabled uniformed services retirees.
This is just the start. My office also stands ready to help any veteran navigate the VA or receive benefits they have earned. Please do not hesitate to call at (515) 400-8180 if we can be of assistance to you.