Providing for Consideration of H.R. Guard and Reserve Gi Bill Parity Act of Providing for Consideration of H.R. Ensuring Veterans' Smooth Transition Act; and for Other Purposes

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I thank my esteemed colleague, Congressman Perlmutter, for yielding.

Madam Speaker, the bills included in this rule serve as an expression of gratitude for all veterans, regardless of their official service status.

My State of North Carolina alone has nearly 12,000 National Guard members, each of whom deserves to be recognized for their sacrifice on behalf of our Nation.

Reservists and National Guard members take on challenging, admirable, and oftentimes lifesaving work, especially throughout the COVID-19 crisis. We owe it to these exceptional Americans to provide gold- standard education benefits, medical care, and mental health support.

A critical inflection point in all veterans' lives is their transition to civilian life. We know that during this period, veterans disproportionately face mental health crises. That is why in partnership with Congresswoman Gonzalez-Colon, Congressman Bowman, Congresswoman Moore, I have offered an amendment to H.R. 1836 that takes proactive steps to offer support.

Our amendment requires the VA to provide new veterans with information on the medical services they can access, including the mental health care and military sexual trauma resources to which they are entitled.

My father served as a psychiatrist in the Air Force during the Vietnam era, a particularly challenging time for our veterans. He witnessed firsthand the need for mental health care among this population.

In addition, one of the issues--military sexual trauma, leaving veterans with scars, both physical and psychological--is affected by this legislation. I have introduced other legislation on this issue and I am committed to helping veterans who have experienced this trauma access support.

Veterans can't benefit from VA services unless they know about them. Unfortunately, many veterans lack information of the full range of resources available. Our amendment will raise awareness among transitioning veterans about VA services and the care they deserve.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment, the rule, and the underlying bill.

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