Daines Joins House In Supporting Critical Veterans Services

Press Release

Representative Steve Daines today joined the House in passing legislation to provide critical job training services and mental health and sexual trauma support for the nation's veterans.

"As Montanans, we know the importance of fulfilling our promises to veterans and ensuring they receive the support and services they deserve-- whether that's providing good, timely health care or job training," Daines said. "Expanding access to good-paying jobs, providing quality health care services, and ensuring those who have suffered sexual trauma receive the support they need are critical as we help our veterans make the transition back into civilian life. The bills passed by the House today help address these issues and ensure we provide our veterans with the benefits they have earned and the support they deserve."

H.R. 2942 would reauthorize the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory Committee, which managed licensing and certification for job training programs for veterans returning from active duty.

H.R. 2527 would provide veterans with counseling and treatment for sexual trauma that occurred during inactive duty training. Currently, veterans only receive this support for trauma suffered during activity duty or training.

H.R. 503, the Gulf War Health Research Reform Act, designates the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses (RAC) as an independent committee within the VA, making it more effective in carrying out its mission to improve the lives of Gulf War veterans.

Daines has long called for reforms to address longstanding delays veterans' benefits claims and to ensure that the VA more efficiently and effectively meets the needs of Montana veterans.

Daines was among the first House members to call for VA Secretary Eric Shinseki to resign and asked that President Obama demand his resignation if he fails to so voluntarily.

He is a cosponsor of the Department of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act, which would address the widespread and systemic lack of accountability for senior executives in the VA by giving the VA Secretary more latitude to discipline and fire executives who presided over negligence or mismanagement. The House passed this legislation last week with strong bipartisan support.

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