Issue Position: Veterans Affairs and Armed Services

Issue Position

The entire nation owes our military personnel and veterans a huge debt of gratitude, and ensuring that debt is properly repaid is one of my top priorities in Congress.

One of the ways we have sought to repay that debt is through providing affordable healthcare for military members and their families, both when in uniform and after they have retired. I am a strong supporter of healthcare for our veterans, and recognize the importance of providing full access to all benefits our veterans have earned, through an easily accessible and affordable system.

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 or the available health care is frequently inadequate. As a strong supporter of veterans' 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 prevented 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 substantive policy legislation to pass the House sponsored by a first term Member of that Congress.

In response to the rising incidence of sexual assault within the military, I have co-sponsored H.R. 1864 to protect those who speak out to report sexual assault.

Also facing this Congress is the War Power Reform Act, H.R. 383, which would require the President to consult with Congress on all military actions. I am a cosponsor of this bill because the power of the Executive Branch to commit troops is subject to constitutional checks and balances.

Our nation is a nation of heroes. Our soldiers and veterans are some of the finest people who have ever lived. We will never forget those who have sacrificed themselves to protect, uphold, and defend America and her interests.

For information on homeland security please visit my issue page dedicated to the topic.

Foxx legislation pertaining to Veterans Affairs and Armed Services (sponsored, co-sponsored, or supported by Rep. Foxx):

H.R.124: To re-designate the Department of the Navy as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps

H.R.1497: War Memorial Protection Act

H.R.1864 : Military Whistleblower Protections Act

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