Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a range of benefits and services to veterans and eligible dependents who meet certain criteria as authorized by law. These benefits include medical care, disability compensation and pensions, education, vocational rehabilitation and employment services, assistance to homeless veterans, home loan guarantees, administration of life insurance and traumatic injury protection insurance for servicemembers, and death benefits that cover burial expenses.
It is vital that Congress provide the VA with the resources and oversight needed to assist veterans in the most effective and transparent way possible. Since I became a member of Congress, I have worked to ensure that all our veterans are given access to affordable housing, healthcare, and tuition assistance. With our aging veteran population and so many new veterans returning home, I am committed to providing veterans and their families with the care and benefits they deserve.
I am proud to have cosponsored numerous pieces of legislation that seek to bolster programs to help veterans and their families adjust to civilian life, obtain quality health care, and access the services they need including H.R. 1472, the Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act, and H.R. 3272, the Veteran Education Empowerment Act. H.R. 1472, introduced by Rep. James Langevin (D-RI), would improve services and support for family caregivers of military servicemembers and veterans by expanding eligibility for benefits. H.R. 3272, introduced by Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL), would establish a grant program through the Department of Education for colleges and universities to create veteran student centers to help student veterans obtain federal and state benefits, thrive in school, and find a job after graduation.
Our men and women in uniform face enormous challenges adjusting to civilian life upon returning home, and I support efforts to help our veterans make this transition. Just as the military pledges to leave no soldier behind on the battlefield, we will leave no veteran behind when they return home.
More on Veterans
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.
On Veterans Day, we salute the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and remember those who have served our country around the world in the name of freedom and democracy. On this solemn holiday, we gather together across this grateful nation to honor their sacrifice and to remember that our country is safe thanks to those who serve and have served.