Troops & Veterans
If we are going to ask Americans to risk their lives to protect us, we must also be willing to fulfill the promises that were made to them when they enlisted in our country’s service. I understand that today’s troops are tomorrow’s veterans. Many of our representatives talk about honoring our veterans and their sacrifices. Yet our government fails to provide adequately for the men and women who carry out the most important constitutional function: national defense.
By opposing the FY 2010 budget, our Representative Elton Gallegly has effectively said no to increasing funding for veterans’ health care and other benefits by more than 11 percent.
• The FY 2010 Budget Resolution (H.Con.Res. 85) honors our veterans by providing an 11.5 percent increase in funding for their health care and other benefits [H Con Res 85, #192, 4/2/09].
• The House Budget Resolution builds on the President’s request by providing $53.3 billion in appropriated funding for veterans’ programs, which amounts to a $5.5 billion (11.5 percent) increase over the 2009 level.
• It supports the President’s budget by ending the Bush Administration’s ban on enrolling modest-income veterans into VA health care.
• It also increases funding over 2009 levels for the VA to research and treat mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injuries.
Representative Gallegly voted no to all of this. That is NOT supporting our troops and veterans.
As your congressman I will work to:
• Reforming the VA to make sure that it efficiently provides affordable care and benefits to our veterans.
• Narrowing the pay gap that exists between military and private sector pay scales.
• Restore health care coverage to retired service members and reduce their out-of-pocket costs.
• Establish a House Select Committee on POW and MIA Affairs.
• Fully investigate the causes of Gulf War illnesses and ensure that the VA provides all necessary treatments to veterans suffering from those illnesses.
• Immediately ending the requirement that disabled veterans give up their military retirement pay in order to receive VA disability benefits.
• End the shameful treatment of wounded veterans like at Walter Reed.
• End concurrent receipt benefits. Under existing federal rules disabled veterans are forced to give up their military retirement pay in order to receive VA disability benefits. Every VA disability dollar paid to a veteran is deducted from his/her retirement pay, effectively creating a ”disabled veterans tax”. No other group of federal employees is subject to this unfair standard; in every other case, disability pay is viewed as distinct from standard retirement pay.
As your congressman, I will fight hard to make sure veterans receive the care and respect they deserve. We must ensure the highest level of care for those who have sacrificed for this country.
I will support legislation such as:
• H.R. 1538, the Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act, which will implement a comprehensive policy for the care and management of members of the Armed Forces who are undergoing treatment, recuperation, or therapy, are in medical hold or holdover status, or are otherwise on the temporary disability retired list for serious injury or illness.
• H.R. 3793, the Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act of 2007, which will prevent the Department of Defense from breaking its promise to provide bonuses for members of the Armed Forces who are retired or separated for disability due to a combat-related injury.
• H.R. 2366, the SBA Veterans’ Programs Act of 2007, which expands the Small Business’ Administration outreach to and service of veteran entrepreneurs and business owners.
I know the heavy burdens that have been placed on military families when loved ones are serving overseas. Lengthy and multiple deployments, soldiers and military families often face undue financial hardships. Service members and their families should not be living at the poverty level and we must do all we can to ease their financial burdens. I commit to honoring the sacrifices of our veterans by ensuring they have access to the treatment and benefits they earned through their dedication and service to our country.
