Over 350 Michigan Veterans Highlight John James Veterans Coalition

Press Release

The John James for Senate campaign announced John's guiding principles and veterans coalition Thursday, made up of over 350 veterans including Congressman Jack Bergman, Rob O'Neill, Kris Paronto and Amanda Van Essen Wirth.

"My fellow veterans fought to protect the American Dream, and we must ALL protect that Dream for our vets and their children," James said. "Michigan deserves a proven leader on the Senate floor who will finally prioritize our veterans and ensure we receive the care that we've earned. Stabenow was recently caught on tape admitting that she "had not been focused on' issues facing our veterans and "not aware' and that's not acceptable."

"The Vietnam War officially ended the year Sen. Stabenow first took office! She has had ample opportunity to do the right thing for America's veterans and has failed," John James said. "Stabenow voted against military pay raises, aid for disabled veterans and emergency funding for our troops. Her lack of action or even awareness on the issues facing my brothers and sisters in arms is unacceptable. It is time for me to lead."

"For our Iraq and Afghanistan vets we should no longer treat separation from the military like an Expiration, Term of Service (ETS), we need to treat it like a permanent change of station (PCS); preparing all future veterans for civilian life similarly as we train them for their next tour of duty," James said. "Our Vietnam veterans, who were not welcomed back home properly are currently afflicted with the highest suicide rate among all war-time veterans. This must end! We must increase collaboration between the DoD, VA and the private sector so that a veteran's re-integration back into civilian society, mentally, physically and emotionally is not the toughest battle that we face."

James' guiding principles are based off of his three "T's" for taking care of our vets: transition, technology, and talent.

JAMES' GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR OUR VETERANS

TRANSITION

It's time to increase access and choice of health care for our veterans to include both VA and at non-VA facilities.

The transition back into civilian life shouldn't be the toughest battle that our veterans face.

We must ensure that ALL veterans are taken care of, including Vietnam veterans still suffering from exposure to Agent Orange.

Veterans who may have been erroneously discharged from the military because of mental traumas like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) deserve to receive fair treatment and should not lose access to the benefits they have earned through their service.

TECHNOLOGY

Our veterans deserve the most up-to-date, best information available to get the the health care and additional services that they've earned.

We need to expand telehealth services for our veterans.

The VA must be held accountable for their actions and we must work to find a comprehensive solution to deal with the VA backlog.

TALENT

We can re-integrate military professionals across the private sector, including doctors and nurses transitioning out of active duty military service.

We should attract and retain the best medical professionals and administrators and hold the few bad actors at the VA accountable.

There needs to be a focus on veterans' job training programs.

It's time to extend tax credits for small businesses that provide differential pay to military reservists and National Guard members called to serve.

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