Monday, December 18, 2017

Roy Blunt: This is what the Senate has done to help our veterans

(From Sen. Roy Blunt)

America has the best military in the world because of the brave men and women who have answered the call to serve. Day in and day out, our service members make countless sacrifices to keep us safe. It is our duty to honor their sacrifices by keeping our promises to those who have served. 
This year, President Trump has signed into law several bills that support our veterans and their families. From helping veterans find good-paying jobs to improving their access to quality health care, here is an overview of what the Senate has done to support our veterans: 
  • HIRE Vets Act: The HIRE Vets Act, which I introduced, established a tiered recognition program within the Department of Labor to award employers based on their contributions to veteran employment.
       
  • Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act: I cosponsored this legislation to make it easier for the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to hold employees accountable for misconduct or poor performance, while ensuring appropriate due process protections for whistleblowers.
         
  • Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act: I was proud to cosponsor legislation to modernize and expand the post 9/11 G.I. Bill, helping more veterans get the knowledge and skills they need to find good-paying jobs in high-demand careers like STEM.
     
  • Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act: It takes six years, on average, for veterans to resolve an appeal for a disability claim with the VA. By modernizing the outdated benefits claims appeals process, this legislation aims to shorten the amount of time it takes for veterans to receive decisions from the VA.
     
  • Veterans Choice Program Improvement Act: This legislation extended the Veterans Choice Program, which was created under legislation I previously cosponsored, to ensure veterans have access to timely care.
     
  • VA Choice and Quality Employment Act: Under this act, more than $2 billion in new funding was appropriated for the Veterans Choice Program. The legislation also included provisions that make it easier to hire medical center professionals, retain high-quality senior executives, and accurately track job vacancies within the VA. 
       
  • Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act: This act extended a number of expiring authorities impacting veterans' benefits, health care, and homeless programs.
         
  • Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act: This legislation increased rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities. 
As my colleagues and I gear up for 2018, we will continue to honor our commitment to our veterans and ensure they and their families receive the care, benefits, and support they deserve. 

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, this is like putting lipstick on a pig. Look up at legislation proposed for veterans, house and senate, and you will see a total of 170 proposals, 37 from the House. So Blunt is BMOC for sponsorship or agreeing to these 7 or 8 bills. If you are a democrat forget ever getting your bill through a committee or of even getting it voted on and passing. This is what sucks about our legislative process, publish this hogwash and tout what wonderful things you have done and don't mention all the other things you did not do because it does not bode well with your campaign donors. Smoke and mirrors on both sides, but this year it is the republicans putting the wet blanket on helping our vets, homeless, needy, ill fed citizens or the ones with healthcare issues that will be critical and still not receive any care. You have so much to be proud of citizens of Missouri or is that Missery.

Anonymous said...

How about doing away with the dreadful Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act! What a freaking joke! That'd be a great start! Our pensions have been delegated down to the state level where they're absolutely clueless on military matters. I've got a judge who's never served a day in his life making decisions on such matters. Joke!