Veterans
We have a responsibility to care for the women and men who have served our nation in the armed forces. The people who swear an oath to defend our country do the work and make the sacrifices that keep us safe. It is their government’s duty to care for them as they transition to civilian life or if they are struggling with a visible or invisible fight.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a range of services and benefits for military veterans and eligible dependents who meet certain criteria. These benefits include medical care, disability compensation and pensions, education, vocational rehabilitation assistance to homeless veterans, administration of life insurance and traumatic injury protection insurance, and death benefits that cover burial expenses.
For more information on these and all other benefits offered by the Department, you can visit www.va.gov.
Legislative Work
I take my responsibility to our veterans seriously. That is why I have co-sponsored:
- H.R. 299,the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, to extend presumption of service and exposure to Agent Orange for veterans who served in the waters off Vietnam. This bill was passed by the House and Senate and signed into law by the President on June 25, 2019.
- H.R. 186, the Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act, to provide tax credits for military veterans who open a small business in underserved communities.
- H.R. 663, the Burn Pit Accountability Act, to direct the Department of Defense to evaluate whether servicemembers were exposed to toxic chemicals used in burn pits.
- H.R. 3867, the Violence Against Women Veterans Act, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to improve the services and benefits that the Department offers to veterans who experience domestic violence or sexual assault.
Help for Constituent Servicemembers
I have long supported our military veterans and often meet with organizations representing former servicemembers from New Jersey. My office is always ready to assist constituents with any questions about, or requests for, assistance with the Department of Veterans Affairs. If you or someone you know wants to contact my office with questions about casework with the VA, please click here. I was honored to receive a 2019 Legislator of the Year Award from the New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars for my work on behalf of our servicemembers.
More on Veterans
While representing the 8th District in Washington this week, I held several meetings, attended a House Foreign Affairs Committee markup, and voted on important legislation.
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Congressman Sires voted against H.R. 4974, the fiscal year (FY) 2017 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. This bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 295-129. While this legislation provides funding for important military construction and veterans programs, it neglects the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by funding it $1.5 billion below the President’s requested level.
If you are a veteran experiencing trouble receiving your benefits or entitlements, the Department of Veterans Affairs will be holding a claims clinic in Newark on Monday, November 9, 2015 from 10:00am – 2:00pm to assist you. Just as the military pledges to leave no soldier behind on the battlefield, we will leave no veteran behind when they return home. Please contact my office at (202) 225-7919 with any additional questions or concerns.
Where: VBA Newark Regional Office
20 Washington Place
Newark, NJ 07102
I advocated for the people of the 8th District this week by attending Foreign Affairs Committee hearings, meeting with several groups from the Garden State, and voting on critical pieces of legislation.
(Washington, D.C.) -“ This week, Congressman Sires voted in favor of several pieces of legislation critical to assisting New Jersey veterans, homeowners, and those affected by Superstorm Sandy.
This week I attended several committee hearings and met with multiple groups from New Jersey. I also took time to take part in a USO project to send snacks to U.S. troops serving abroad.
This week in New Jersey, I presented a replacement Purple Heart award to one of my constituents, and in Washington, reflected on the President’s State of the Union address, voted on several critical bills, and was renamed to several Subcommittees in the 114th Congress.
As the end of the year and 113th Congress approached, over the past two weeks I participated in committee hearings, voted on several critical pieces of legislation, spoke on the Floor of the House of Representatives, and shared my gratitude with our troops serving overseas.
Over the past two weeks in Washington, I participated in a subcommittee hearing and committee markup session for several important pieces of legislation, spoke with airline pilots about the aviation industry, reflected on the importance of Veterans Day, and attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Bayonne Fire Department’s new firehouse.