Issue Position: Veterans Affairs and Armed Services

Issue Position

Our entire nation owes our military personnel and veterans a huge debt of gratitude.

Millions of Americans joined the service with the understanding that health care would be available to them when they retired. However, for too many military retirees there is no health care, and the available health care is frequently inadequate. As a strong supporter of veteran's rights I believe that veterans deserve every benefit this country can afford them.

H.R. 1499, the Hero's Earned Retirement Opportunities (HERO) Act is a bill that I spear-headed to correct a flaw in the tax code that prevents servicemen from placing income from combat pay into a tax-free retirement account. I am extremely proud that on May 23, 2005, H.R. 1499 became the first piece of policy changing legislation to pass the House sponsored by a first term Member of Congress.

In addition, my bill H.R. 1223, the Sustain, Support and Defend Act was included as Section 2807 of H.R. 2647, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2010, which was signed into law on 10/28/2009. This bill promises to improve on-base housing for soldiers living in Army barracks.

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