Issue Position: Veterans

Issue Position

"Vermonters have a long and proud tradition of military service, and our state has a history of contributing far in excess of its size to the defense of our nation. When a war is over and our brave veterans return home, it is our most solemn obligation to keep our promise and ensure they have the services and resources they require to succeed. Simply put, the cost of the war must include the cost of caring for the warrior. "

Congressman Welch:

*In June 2009, brought U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs Assistant Secretary Tammy Duckworth to Rutland and Burlington to meet with veterans and to announce the start of the Post 9/11 GI Bill, which provides most recent veterans with an in-state college education at no cost.

*Introduced the Military Transition Program Act (H.R. 929), which would create jobs for veterans by partnering with businesses to provide up to 50 percent of a veteran's wages during on-the-job training.

*Introduced the Telehealth Improvement Act (H.R. 5786) following a Rutland roundtable with veterans and their advocates to discuss mental health issues. The bill would expand access to longdistance treatment options for rural veterans by eliminating copayments.

*Introduced the Post-9/11 GI Bill Improvement Act (H.R. 5315) after hearing from a Vermont National Guardsman who was barred from transferring education benefits to his 23-year-old daughter. The bill would allow veterans to transfer GI Bill benefits to dependents up to the age of 26.

Source