Issue Position: Veterans

Issue Position

My father, who fought in the First Cavalry Division in the Korean War, taught me about the importance of keeping our solemn promise to all of the veterans who have sacrificed so much for our nation. I will work to ensure veterans get the health care and benefits they have earned and the support they need to help them transition back to a fulfilling, productive civilian life.

Veterans are some of the most disciplined and hard-working employees you will ever find. I support the GI Bill and private programs like the Pat Tillman Foundation to help all veterans get the education and training they need to reach their goals. The VOW to Hire Heroes Act is a strong plan to expand access to education and job training opportunities as well as provide tax credits to businesses that hire veterans. I will defend the Center for Veterans Enterprise to help veterans start and build their own businesses.

The new Veterans Administration clinic in Green Bay (and its partnership with the new Medical College of Wisconsin campus in Green Bay) will be of huge benefit to veterans in Northeast Wisconsin. Yet many veterans in the area live in rural areas, far from a VA hospital or clinic. I will encourage the VA to fund community health centers to ensure that veterans have easier access to the care they need. I will also work with the VA and the Defense Department to greatly reduce the backlog of disability claims processing so that veterans do not suffer financial hardship while waiting for their benefits.

Some of the most devastating and frequent injuries suffered by our servicemen and women in Iraq and Afghanistan involve traumatic head injuries and post-traumatic stress. I will make sure these often invisible injuries remain Presumptive Disabilities so that veterans suffering from them can get the proper care.

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