Ensuring Our Veterans Are Supported

Our veterans have made sacrifices to protect our liberty and freedom. Wisconsin is home to more than 275,000 veterans and veterans make up nearly 6% of the adult population. Making sure our veterans have access to high quality service when they leave the military is critically important. This week, I helped pass the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act to ensure veterans in our community are receiving the benefits they've earned.

This bill strengthens health programs through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by improving accessibility to the Veterans Community Care Program and increasing access to health and support programs to veterans and their caregivers.

It would also modify educational and economic programs to be more accessible to veterans and their families, as well as increase training programs and opportunities.

Additionally, the legislation streamlines the VA disability rating process to ensure veterans have access to compensation in a timelier manner with fewer mistakes. VA homelessness programs would also have access to greater compensation and increased authorization for providing material goods and services.

The final section of this bill makes sure VA employees are aware of the role of the VA Office of the Inspector General and would require an annual security survey of VA facilities.

I'm proud to have helped this bill pass the House and look forward to it being considered in the Senate.

To read the full bill, click here.

Honoring the Waukesha Community and Preventing More Tragedies

Yesterday marked three years since the horrific attack at the Waukesha Christmas Parade. As we continue to honor the victims and their families, we must recognize the Waukesha community's perseverance, and work to ensure such tragedies are prevented in the future.

Compared to 2019, homicides increased by 18% and aggravated assaults increased by 8%. Many of the offenders committing these crimes are allowed back on the streets due to weak bail policies. In fact, the violent criminal who killed six members of our community during Waukesha's Christmas Parade in 2021 already had a lengthy criminal history, including previously running over a woman with a vehicle.

This attack is a stark reminder of the harm soft-on-crime policies and prosecutors have in our communities. This tragedy should never have occurred. In the time since this senseless attack, I have worked to pass meaningful legislation that will protect our families and community.

I helped lead the Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act (H.R. 8205). This legislation will ensure judges and prosecutors know a defendant's criminal history and bring accountability to bail bonds. The House of Representatives passed this legislation in September, and I urge the Senate to take action on the bill soon.

The Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act takes an important step to give law enforcement the tools they need to prevent repeat offenders from endangering others. There is much more work to do, but keeping our communities safe will always be my top priority. I will continue to support law enforcement and work alongside them to deliver results to keep families safe.

Meeting Our Next Generation of Servicemembers

Every year, I'm privileged to nominate bright and hardworking students to attend our nation's military service academies. Our service academies are some of the top universities in the country and help build strong leaders into our military.

Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY.

The nomination process recognizes the character, leadership, and academic achievements of high school students eager to serve our country. It was an honor to meet this year's applicants.

On Wisconsin,

Bryan Steil
Member of Congress

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