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Veterans

I am committed to making sure that the men and women who have served, are serving, or will serve in the U.S. military get the resources and care they need – both at home and abroad – and guarantee they receive the benefits they have earned.

As the son of a U.S. Navy veteran, I understand the importance of supporting those in uniform and providing them the dignity they are entitled to. This includes:

Boosting veteran benefits: I am committed to honoring our veteran's service by ensuring they continue to receive all the benefits they have earned, which is why I'm a cosponsor of H.R. 1329, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-Of-Living Adjustment Act. This bill would increase cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) rates for veterans with service-connected disabilities and for survivors of certain disabled veterans.

Preventing veterans suicide: I was pleased to vote for the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Act in February 2016 and watch former President Obama sign it into law. The law expands access to mental health services for our nation's veterans and seeks to curb the epidemic of veterans' suicides in our country.

Protecting veterans' from toxic chemical contamination: Oscoda, Michigan, is home to the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base, which has groundwater near the base that is unsafe to drink because of dangerous per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS. I have worked to bring safe drinking water to veterans and their families living around the base and launched the PFAS Task Force in Congress to bring Democrats and Republicans together to pass policies that protect veterans and public health.

The following is a list of veteran-based legislation that was signed into law during the 115th Congress with my support.

  • H.R. 3218: The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (Forever G.I. Bill).
  • S. 2372: VA MISSION Act of 2018.
  • H.R. 2147: Veterans Treatment Court Improvement Act of 2018.
  • H.R. 2519: The American Legion 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act.
  • H.R. 244: HIRE Vets Act.
  • H.R. 2288: Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017.
  • H.R. 1329: The Veterans' Compensation COLA Act of 2017.
  • S. 1094: The Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017.
  • S.1266: Enhancing Veteran Care Act.
  • S. 1393: Jobs for Our Heroes Act.
  • H.R. 4910: Veterans Cemetery Benefit Correction Act.
  • H.R. 2345: National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act.