Hoyer Statement on Veterans Day

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today in recognition of Veterans Day:

"On this Veterans Day, we join in paying tribute to the millions of men and women who have served our nation in uniform. In every generation, courageous Americans have stood up in defense of our freedom, and we owe them more than our gratitude – we owe them our firm commitment to ensure that they receive the care and benefits they earned through their service.

"As our troops continue to return home from Afghanistan, joining the many who have recently returned from Iraq, we must do more as a nation to combat homelessness, unemployment, and suicide among veterans, as well as end the unacceptable VA disability claims backlog so that veterans receive their benefits in a timely manner and improve access to health care. I was proud to join with many of my colleagues this summer to pass legislation addressing the shortcomings at the VA and providing additional resources to hire more doctors so that our veterans get the quality care they deserve. I will continue to push for greater measures to help our veterans transition back to civilian life and to pursue the American Dream they fought so hard to make possible."