Merkley and Wyden Announce Key Wins for Oregon Veterans in Senate Passage of Military Construction Appropriations Bill

Statement

Oregon's Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that included in the Senate Military Construction appropriations bill that passed the Senate today are key provisions that will help Oregonians. These include $320 million for the Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) program and $496 million for the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) voucher program. These programs help veterans and their families who are either homeless or on their way to being homeless find a home. Also included is a bipartisan amendment led by Senators Merkley and Steve Daines (R-MT) that would allow Veterans Health Administration (VA) doctors to discuss and make recommendations about the use of medical marijuana with their patients.

"From fighting for the rights of our veterans to helping address the housing crisis that is gripping Oregon, my job as a member of the Appropriations Committee is to help Oregonians in every corner of the state," said Merkley. "Our veterans have stood up for us, and we must stand up for them. We need to make sure that our veterans have a place to call home and are able to communicate with their doctors about all legal treatment options."

"Our country must never forget the sacrifices made by all of our veterans, and a big part of that gratitude must be working to do everything possible to support them when they return home," Wyden said. "This bill takes a significant step toward that objective both by helping servicemembers find a home and by ensuring all servicemembers have access to the full range of medical options in states like Oregon where medical marijuana is legal."

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