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.

Related
HOYER: HONORING OUR HEROES ON VETERANS DAY
House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today in observance of Veterans Day tomorrow, November 11:
HOYER: FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ONE STEP CLOSER TO RECEIVING FAIR PAY ADJUSTMENT
Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) released the following statement today applauding the passage of the Fiscal Year 2005 Transportation, Treasury Appropriations Bill which provides for parity in the 2005 pay adjustments for both military and civilian federal employees:
HOYER JOINS DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS AT KICKOFF OF “NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH AMERICA”
House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD) today joined House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA), the Democratic Caucus leadership, Democratic House members, and citizens from around the country in announcing the “New Partnership with America.” The Partnership is a broad values-based agenda that reinforces Democrats’ commitment to America’s national defense, working families, and economic prosperity. The following is Rep. Hoyer’s statement as prepared for delivery:
House Democrats Kickoff a New Partnership for America's Future
Bold New Plan for America...
HOYER STATEMENT ON THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF SEPTEMBER 11TH
House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD) released the following statement in observance of the 3rd anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks:
Hoyer Meets With Anti-Bush Defense Group
House Minority Whip Hoyer met today with members of the recently formed Diplomats and Military Commanders for Change, an organization dedicated to the electoral defeat of President Bush made up of a bipartisan group of 27 former government and military officials.
HOYER STATEMENT ON MEMORIAL DAY:
House Democratic Whip (MD) Steny Hoyer released the following statement today in observance of Memorial Day:
Budget memo serves as Democratic ammo
Democrats were in a full-court press yesterday, criticizing President Bush for an administration document they say directs federal agencies to prepare preliminary 2006 budgets that cut spending for education, veterans benefits and other key programs after the 2004 election.
PRESIDENT LOOKING TO "CUT AND RUN" ON CHILDREN, VETERANS, OTHERS IN HIS 2006 BUDGET
statements by Hoyer and Spratt...
2006 Cuts In Domestic Spending On Table
The White House put government agencies on notice this month that if President Bush is reelected, his budget for 2006 may include spending cuts for virtually all agencies in charge of domestic programs, including education, homeland security and others that the president backed in this campaign year...