Greetings!

 

We hope you had a great July! This past month, Congressman Kim continued to prioritize our servicemembers as Ranking Member of the Military Personnel Subcommittee and on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. We of course enjoyed celebrating July 4th and honoring the heroes throughout our nation’s history who fought to make our country a free and equal place for everyone.

 

There’s a lot to cover this month, starting with an important PACT Act deadline outlined below! Please reach out to our office if you need assistance accessing the benefits or healthcare you earned through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Learn more about how we can help here.

 

As always, we hope you find the following updates and resources helpful!

 

IMPORTANT DEADLINE TO RECEIVE FULL PACT ACT/TOXIC EXPOSURE BENEFITS

 

August 9th is the deadline for veterans to file a PACT Act claim or submit their intent to file in order to be eligible for benefits backdated to August 10, 2022. File a new claim or submit your intent to file online, or call 800-698-2411 for assistance filing by mail or in-person.

 

The PACT Act expands healthcare and benefits to veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances, including veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras. Learn all about the PACT Act eligibility and how it could impact your benefits here.

 

Congressman Kim helped pass the PACT Act into law to deliver 3.5 million veterans the benefits they earned. We want to make sure every eligible veterans knows about these expanded benefits and eligibility for healthcare including, over 20 new presumptive conditions for toxic exposure, expanded presumptive-exposure locations, new toxic exposure screenings for every veteran enrolled in VA healthcare, and a presumption of service connection for hypertension and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance for veterans who served in Vietnam.

 

NEXT WEEK: Constituent Services Resource Fair

 

As a part of our Good Governance Week, our office is hosting a Constituent Services Resource Fair on Thursday, August 3rd from 12PM to 4PM at the Mount Laurel Community Center. 

 

The event will bring over 20 community partners, local nonprofits, as well as county, state, and federal agencies together. Building off the tenets of accessibility, independence, civility, and serving you, the resource fair is aimed at bringing government and non-profit resources directly into the community. The event is open to the public, and we hope to see you there!

 

COMING UP: Veteran Telephone Claims Consults 

 

Veterans, servicemembers, and their dependents eligible to receive VA benefits can give our Hamilton District Office a call at 609-438-6290 to schedule a phone consultation with the VA. Appointments will be set for Tuesday, August 8th and Wednesday, August 9th from 9am-6pm to get a call from a VSO to talk about VA benefits, submit a claim for compensation benefits, or get information on the status of your claim.

 

Please call us to make an appointment in advance to reserve your spot!

 

Congressman Kim Visits the United States Naval Academy and Speaks about Diversity Education at Military Academies

 

Earlier this month, Congressman Kim visited the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland to speak with midshipmen, recent graduates, and leadership at the academy. 

 

These discussions help inform the Congressman’s work and leadership as the Ranking Member of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, where he prioritizes the needs of our servicemembers and their families.

Following the visit, Congressman Kim participated in a House Armed Services Committee hearing with leadership of our nation’s Military Service Academies. He took the opportunity to confirm with each of them that diversity in the military makes the force stronger, and that diversity, equity, and inclusion education is an unburdensome and adequate portion of their work preparing young, brave servicemembers for duty.

 

Watch a portion of his back-and-forth with leadership of the Military Academies here and his remarks on the House floor about diversity creating a cohesive and successful fighting force. 

 

Congressman Kim Votes Against Partisan Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Funding Bill

 

Last week, Congressman Kim voted against a Military Construction and Veterans Administration funding bill that he felt did not meet the moment in how we serve our veterans. 

 

The partisan bill underfunds military construction projects by $1.5 billion at bases around the world, impacting readiness at military installations and bases all over the world, and could harm our own Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. 

 

Additionally the bill cuts $200 million from PFAS cleanup efforts, cuts funding that goes towards updating military installations to protect against extreme weather, and targets women veterans, preventing them from being able to get abortion counseling and abortion services through the VA.

 

Congressman Kim’s Statement Following His Vote Against NDAA Due to Republican Poison Pill Amendments

 

On July 14th, the House voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024. This is the first time Congressman Kim has voted against the, traditionally, bipartisan NDAA. Read his full statement about why he voted NO.

 

As Ranking Member of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, Congressman Kim works to support our servicemembers and military families with expanded healthcare access, provide better childcare, and more. Earlier this week, he spoke on the House floor about what the final NDAA should deliver for servicemembers.

 

We are continuing our support of the brave Guard, Reserve, and Active Duty servicemembers living and working at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Congressman Kim is committed to delivering for them.

 

ICYMI: Congressman Kim Hosts 65th Town Hall

 

This month, Congressman Kim held his 65th town hall, a telephone town hall! He enjoyed sharing more about his most recent work in congress and answering neighbors’ questions about restoring trust in government, standing up for servicemembers’ reproductive healthcare access, supporting legislation to help Americans retire with dignity, his work to support servicemembers and their families at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, and his continued efforts to pass gun violence prevention legislation to protect our children and communities.

 

If you missed it don’t worry, you can listen to the full conversation here. 

 

Register here to not miss his next telephone town hall call!

 

Recognizing the One-Year Anniversary of the 988 Line 

 

On July 16th, we honored the one year anniversary of the #988Lifeline. It was launched to provide free, 24/7 nationwide support for anyone in the U.S. in need of mental health care. It is critical we continue to support initiatives like this to provide everyone with mental health support when they need it.

 

Veterans, servicemembers, and their loved ones can also contact the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and Press 1 at any time, day or night, chat online, or text 838255 for confidential support.

 

For specific suicide prevention and/or PTSD support through the VA or to learn how to help raise awareness, check out these resources on their website for more information. 

 

Celebrating National Hire a Veteran Day

 

Last week we recognized National Hire a Veteran Day by thanking all the local businesses and community organizations that prioritize hiring veterans. Our promise to support our servicemembers and their families must include looking out for their financial security. Congressman Kim works to expand local job opportunities for vets and make sure they have opportunities to be in a career or workforce where they will thrive.

 

New Path to Report Sexual Assault or Sexual Harassment at VA

 

Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors can now report incidents of sexual assault or sexual harassment at VA facilities by calling 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411, option 9). The call center will be ready to answer the phones 24/7. Follow-up health care and support will also be made available to those in need.

 

Do you have a copy of your DD-214?

 

If you do not have a copy of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), you should request a copy from the National Archives and Records Administration since it can take up to 6-12 months to receive. DD-214s are necessary to apply for many of the benefits you are eligible for as a veteran. If you don’t have your DD-214, medical treatment can be delayed for a long time. If you have questions about this, you can contact our office here.

 

DMAVA Newsletter

 

The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs’ newsletter provides information to Servicemembers, Veterans, Employees, Families, Caregivers, Community Partners and those inspired to support our collective mission. You can sign-up for DMAVA’s mailing lists on their website.

 

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL) Update

 

This July, airmen at JBMDL participated in the Mobility Guardian 2023 exercise in the Indo-Pacific to focus on overcoming distance to deliver vital mobilization, deployment, and sustainment functions for the Joint Force, Allies, and partners worldwide. We welcomed them home last week after the successful exercise! Congressman Kim continues to work on the House Foreign Affairs Committee to create lasting peace and stability in the region by strengthening democracy and global cooperation and on the House Armed Services Committee to support our local servicemembers.

 

On July 13th, Naval Support Activity Lakehurst held a change of command ceremony officiated by Rear Adm. Wesley McCall on July 13, 2023, at NSA Lakehurst, N.J.

On July 17th, Members of the Swedish Air Force conducted hands-on training during the first C-17 Flying Crew Chief Strategic Airlift Capability Course held for international students at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

 

Upcoming Local Events

The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is hosting various events throughout August, including: 

• August 8th at 12 PM - DMAVA Medal Ceremony at Mission BBQ in Hamilton

• August 10th at 10 AM - New Jersey Department of Corrections Mid-State Correctional Facility Veteran Employee Resource Fair. DMAVA will have a VSO present to help and assist any veteran. 

• August 16th at 3 PM - New Jersey Department of Corrections Career Fair at VFW Post #3625 - Hamilton. DMAVA will have a VSO present to help and assist any veteran.  

• August 24th at 9 AM - DMAVA Veterans Outreach Campaign at the Columbus Farmers Market. DMAVA will have a VSO present to help and assist any veteran.  

• August 31st at 9 AM - DMAVA Veterans Outreach Campaign at the Columbus Farmers Market. DMAVA will have a VSO present to help and assist any veteran. 

Do You Know Someone Else Who Would Find These Updates Helpful?

If so, please encourage them to sign up here. Please don’t hesitate to be in touch if we can be of assistance to you.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you every day!

 

The Office of Congressman Andy Kim

To subscribe to additional newsletters or to unsubscribe, please click here