Issue Position: Veterans

Issue Position

Values

Ensuring affordable, quality benefits for military retirees is a priority of Congress.

Many of our military retirees were promised health care for life when they joined the military. Veterans should receive the benefits they deserve in a fair, consistent, and timely manner.

Actions

Was the only Member of Congress to vote to consider the Veterans Affairs budget separately from the Military Construction funding (H.R. 2055). Historically, both accounts have been considered together in Congress. Separating the two would give Congress flexibility to curtail any unnecessary military construction spending, while preserving veterans' benefits.

Supports the Veterans' Heritage Firearms Act of 2011 (H.R. 420), which would provide a 90-day amnesty period during which veterans and their family members can register in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record any firearm acquired before October 31, 1968, by a veteran while a member of the Armed Forces stationed outside the continental United States.

Supports the Medal of Honor Stipend Increase Act (H.R. 2318), which would increase the monthly stipend of living Medal of Honor recipients by $500 per month.

Supports suicide prevention and mental health programs for veterans. The current medical discharge rate resulting from mental health issues concerns one out of every nine soldiers.

Source