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Dear John,
On Saturday, Representative Janet Napolitano and I had the pleasure of hosting our annual free Veterans Forum at the Azusa National Guard Armory. Every year, this event allows Veterans to connect with government agencies and programs that provide vital resources in one location. It creates more access for many to get their questions answered and learn about new programs or benefits they may be eligible for.
This year's event was especially exciting as we shared the opportunity to apply for benefits from the newly implemented PACT Act! Democrats worked hard to pass the PACT Act and provide meaningful benefits to Veterans exposed to toxic chemicals during their service.
As a member of Congress, I take our duty to support our Veterans seriously and have worked to help our Iraq and Afghanistan service members transition back into the workforce and expand quality health care to include mental health benefits. Alongside my Democratic colleagues in Congress, these actions demonstrate my utmost respect for Veterans as I work to protect and expand Veterans' resources.
Congressional Republicans will say they also take their duty to support Veterans seriously, but their recent actions don’t stack up. In April of this year, the House GOP introduced a bill that would have cut Veterans' health care by 22% -- restricting outpatient visits and eliminating 81,000 jobs from the Veterans Health Administration. While Republicans remain the majority party in the House, we can only expect more of the same. We will only ensure Veterans' services are protected and expanded by helping Democrats regain control of the House in 2024.
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