Issue Position: Defense - Veterans

Issue Position

America owes a special debt to its veterans. During my time as a public servant, I have honored the service and sacrifices of the brave men and women who protect our country.

The war in Iraq is creating a new generation of veterans. The wounded soldiers who come home from Iraq deserve the best treatment in the finest facilities that we can possibly provide. They do not deserve to lie on worn out beds in molded-over rooms full of cockroaches. No matter what you may think of their war, be it Iraq, Vietnam, Korea, World War II, or any of the smaller battles and wars we fought between them, these brave souls were willing to sacrifice everything so that we may be safe at home. They deserve dignity, they deserve our help, and they deserve our gratitude.

As a veteran who was wounded with a Howitzer in Vietnam once told me, "I need someone to go to bat for me like I went to bat for them." He's absolutely right, and I will do all that is within my power to improve the lives of veterans everywhere.

I've signed on as cosponsor for HR 3329, the Homes For Heroes Act, a bill that will provide housing assistance to low income veterans. The days of a homeless war veteran living under a bridge should be a thing of the past, and they will be if I have anything to say about it.

I'm also actively working on ways to streamline the process for veterans to apply and receive benefits and to keep the White House from following through with its thrice-proposed increases in TRICARE fees. It's a disgrace that the current administration can simultaneously create new veterans and not treat them as the champions of democracy that they are.

What encouragement is it to our future military if we do not treat the military of yesterday and today the way they deserve to be treated?

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