Loeffler Statement on Veterans Day

Statement

U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, released the following statement in honor of Veterans Day:

"Georgia is home to more than 700,000 veterans -- men and women who put their lives on the line so their fellow Americans can enjoy the freedoms and liberties we cherish every day," Loeffler said. "As the daughter and granddaughter of veterans, I know firsthand the sacrifices our heroes have made, and I will always stand up and fight for Georgia veterans in the United States Senate. On this Veterans Day, we must recommit ourselves to ensuring our veterans have the support and resources they need -- both while they are serving and after they return home."

Loeffler has introduced the following pieces of legislation to assist and honor Georgia veterans:

The Reducing Veteran Homelessness Act to make changes to two U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs to prevent and decrease veteran homelessness;
The VA Mission Telehealth Clarification Act to help expand the number of health care workers at the VA who are allowed to treat veterans via telehealth and ensure they receive the training they need to provide such care;
The Verification Alignment and Service-disabled Business Adjustment (VA-SBA) Act to streamline the federal contracting process for veteran-owned small businesses and ensure that contracts reserved for service-disabled veterans are actually being awarded to qualified entrepreneurs;
A resolution honoring the service and sacrifice of members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans, prisoners of war and Gold Star families; and
An amendment to the Veterans Posttraumatic Growth Act, a bill Loeffler cosponsored to expand innovative mental health treatment options for veterans. Loeffler also fought to ensure that similar language was included in the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act, which was recently signed into law.

Loeffler has sent the following letters on behalf of Georgia veterans:

A letter to the VA Veterans Health Administration (VHA) seeking answers on how the VHA will address reports of veterans waiting six months or more for community care appointments through the Atlanta VA Medical Center;
A letter expressing concern over the VA's decision to prohibit the mass placement of American flags at national cemeteries on Memorial Day, including at the Marietta National Cemetery and the Georgia National Cemetery, due to COVID-19; and
A letter urging the VA to expand tele-mental health services for veteran during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Loeffler has cosponsored and helped to introduce an additional 15 bills supporting veterans, including:

The Homeless Veterans Coronavirus Response Act to expand access to VA services to better respond to the needs of homeless veterans throughout the COVID-19 pandemic;
A bill to allow on-campus students to continue to receive their GI benefits if their program moves online due to COVID-19; and
A bill to ensure veterans continue to receive their work-study and other educational allowances during COVID-19.

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