Veterans
Democrats are proud to stand with veterans who have endured great sacrifice to keep our nation safe and protect our freedom. We are working to improve health care access and treatment for veterans by cutting red tape, modernizing VA hospitals, building VA outpatient clinics in communities where veterans live, and expanding the health services available under the VA. We are working to eliminate the VA disability appeals backlog so that veterans can receive their benefits in a more timely manner and with fewer errors occurring. We are also taking steps to help veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses find employment. When Democrats last held both the White House and control of Congress, we kept our promise to take care of our nation’s veterans. Democrats updated the G.I. Bill for post-9/11 veterans to strengthen their access to higher education, and recently supported making the G.I. Bill a lifetime benefit for the first time in history. Democrats expanded employment opportunities by bolstering veterans’ workforce programs and offering a tax credit to businesses that hire unemployed veterans. We also increased the number of VA mental health providers and social workers to meet increased demand, and expanded mental health services. We will continue to respond to the needs of veterans and their families.
On Monday, Americans across the country will remember the service and sacrifice of those who laid down their lives defending the United States, our allies, and the democratic values we share.
I am extremely disappointed by the Veterans, Employees, and Taxpayers (VET) Protection Act, which was marked-up by the House Veterans Affairs Committee this morning.
President Trump’s Muslim ban emboldens our enemies, undermines our alliances around the world, and makes America less safe.
Today, I join in marking Veterans Day, a time to pay tribute to the men and women who have served our nation in uniform and honor the many sacrifices they have made.
Each year on Memorial Day we honor the sacrifices of those who died in defense of our nation and its values.
House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement on the 75th anniversary of the activation of the 99th Pursuit Squadron, the first of several units of African-American airmen trained in Tuskegee, Alabama who served during World War II.
"Today, as we mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the end of the Persian Gulf War, we recognize the contributions of all our veterans who served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. ...
“Tonight, President Obama reminded Congress and the nation that what makes America great is the spirit of service and hard work that manifests from realizing we are all bound together by a common cause. ...
WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today in recognition of Veterans Day:
The Secretary of Defense's announcement that a working group will be established to study the implications of permitting transgender Americans to serve openly in our military is welcome news.