This week, we take a moment to reflect on the brave men and women, our veterans, active duty soldiers and those no longer with us, who have dedicated and risked their lives in military service protecting this country.
After more than a decade of conflicts overseas, our last troops have returned from Iraq and we are in the final stages of our draw down in Afghanistan. These men and women deserve our utmost respect. We have a responsibility to ensure their transition home is a smooth one and, for those who need help, we do our part to make them whole again, in both body and mind.
I’ve worked with my colleagues to help ease our soldiers’ transitions stateside, and Congress provided historic increases in funding to help ameliorate the unacceptable backlog in veterans processing and care, effectively dropping the backlog by 34% since March. Similar funding strategies to ensure the mental and physical health of the troops coming home were also implemented.
Sadly, while Congress shielded the VA from the across the board cuts known as sequestration, many programs providing veteran support services are seeing the effects of these cuts. Because of sequestration, tens of thousands of veterans are not receiving transition assistance benefits from the Department of Labor. HUD programs combatting veteran homelessness have been undermined through cuts to administrative funds. Because of a dysfunctional Congress, our troops are returning to a much less certain future.
More needs to be done to assist our veterans, from educational and vocational training, to job opportunities and medical care. But unless or until sequestration is lifted, that can’t occur. Congress must fix sequestration, to provide full funding for the programs our veterans need most.
This week, I hope you take the opportunity to offer a simple “thank you” to the veterans in your life. If you or someone you know requires veterans’ assistance, my office is ready and available to assist. Whether helping secure health benefits or unpaid compensation, or with receiving overdue or replacement medals, please contact my Alexandria District Office at 703-971-4700.
On Tuesday, Meridian High School’s girls’ basketball team had an extended possession in the final minute with multiple three-point opportunities while down by three to the Skyline Hawks. On Thursday,
In last week’s column, I discussed the chaos orchestrated by the White House, the Trump Administration’s threats to our Constitution and democracy, and our responsibility to dissent, as outlined by
A duplicitous president and a room full of duplicitous sycophants sought to drive millions of Americans into despair at the State of the Union Tuesday night. But they were quickly
Every resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia can take pride in the role we’re playing to save American democracy from the present slide toward authoritarian tyranny. The latest manifestation of
Legitimate news organizations need grass roots support like never before, and that includes your Falls Church News-Press. For more than 33 years, your News-Press has kept its readers informed and enlightened. We can’t continue without the support of our readers. This means YOU! Please step up in these challenging times to support the news source you are reading right now!
Congress Moran’s News Commentary: Assisting Our Vets
James Moran
After more than a decade of conflicts overseas, our last troops have returned from Iraq and we are in the final stages of our draw down in Afghanistan. These men and women deserve our utmost respect. We have a responsibility to ensure their transition home is a smooth one and, for those who need help, we do our part to make them whole again, in both body and mind.
I’ve worked with my colleagues to help ease our soldiers’ transitions stateside, and Congress provided historic increases in funding to help ameliorate the unacceptable backlog in veterans processing and care, effectively dropping the backlog by 34% since March. Similar funding strategies to ensure the mental and physical health of the troops coming home were also implemented.
Sadly, while Congress shielded the VA from the across the board cuts known as sequestration, many programs providing veteran support services are seeing the effects of these cuts. Because of sequestration, tens of thousands of veterans are not receiving transition assistance benefits from the Department of Labor. HUD programs combatting veteran homelessness have been undermined through cuts to administrative funds. Because of a dysfunctional Congress, our troops are returning to a much less certain future.
More needs to be done to assist our veterans, from educational and vocational training, to job opportunities and medical care. But unless or until sequestration is lifted, that can’t occur. Congress must fix sequestration, to provide full funding for the programs our veterans need most.
This week, I hope you take the opportunity to offer a simple “thank you” to the veterans in your life. If you or someone you know requires veterans’ assistance, my office is ready and available to assist. Whether helping secure health benefits or unpaid compensation, or with receiving overdue or replacement medals, please contact my Alexandria District Office at 703-971-4700.
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