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John, it’s Angus King,
More than 200,000 veterans transition from military to civilian life every year. It’s our responsibility to provide them with the care they need to return home with dignity – and serve them as they served our nation. But as we continue to better understand the challenges our veterans face, both physical and mental, it’s clear that we must do more.
Struggles with mental health may not be visible in the way physical injuries are, but they are no less real. We’ve seen the devastating effects traumatic brain injuries have on the tens of thousands of veterans who are subject to blast impacts – most of which come from exposure to blasts from their own weapons.
I recently wrote a letter to the Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, urging his department to take immediate action to better address traumatic brain injuries among our veterans. I also joined my bipartisan colleagues in the Senate to introduce the Overpressure Safety Act , which contained provisions to improve oversight and funding for treating TBIs.
We now know that the perpetrator of the devastating mass shooting in Lewiston had a brain injury as a result of his time as a grenade instructor in the military. Despite multiple warning signs, our systems failed to identify his extensive injuries or connect the dots regarding his behavior, resulting in an immeasurable loss in our community.
Another serious issue our veterans face is the exposure to toxic chemicals. We passed and got the bipartisan PACT Act signed into law, which provides care and benefits to veterans who were exposed to toxic chemicals in the line of duty. We also introduced the Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act to allow combat veterans to enroll in health care benefits before officially transitioning out of active duty so that there is not a minute’s lag in coverage for service members.
These are just some of the measures I’ve been proud to support in the Senate to secure better care for our veterans. But John, there is still much more to be done. So, as we honor those who serve and protect our country, I will continue to work with my colleagues in both parties to achieve meaningful, lasting change in their lives.
Thank you for reading this note. And if you know a veteran, thank them for their service.
Angus King
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There is nothing more important to Senator King than doing right by the people of Maine. This means fighting on their behalf for the issues that matter most, whether that’s health care, national security, veterans, education, economic certainty, the environment or job creation. Throughout his decades of public service, he has worked tirelessly to build relationships and improve opportunities for all Maine people, from Kittery to Fort Kent.
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Angus King for U.S. Senate Campaign
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