Support our veterans
Today is Veterans Day – a day set aside to thank the millions of men and women who have sacrificed to serve our country. Our country benefits from the contributions of those who serve, and they have earned our respect and appreciation.
And importantly, these brave men and women deserve to come home to a country where they can live their lives with stability and dignity.
Unfortunately, we see far too many veterans struggle to find work, access health care, or obtain housing. When those needs aren't adequately addressed, we can see even more tragic consequences - like homelessness, addiction, and suicide.
To truly honor these men and women, we need to support them when they get home.
In Congress, we should continue to invest in education and training for veterans as they look for jobs in their communities. Helping veterans get a college degree or industry-recognized certificate is a good investment for our vets and for our economy.
We should also continue to develop policies that improve access to health care, including mental health care. I have co-sponsored legislation with Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth, the first disabled woman veteran to serve in the House, to improve the accessibility and effectiveness of the VA's mental health care services and boost oversight and accountability. We must also do all that we can to put an end to the backlogs of disability claims – something I have been calling for since I was first elected to Congress.
We also need to extend the services available to help veterans find stable housing. I applaud Multnomah County and the City of Portland for pledging to find housing for all of the homeless vets in Portland by the end of the year. They have made great progress using a variety of approaches that include federal programs, and I will continue to be a partner on this work.
And finally, to fully honor our veterans, we must continue to work toward peace at home and around the globe. We owe them this and more – not just on Veterans Day, but every day.
With appreciation,
