Veterans Issues
Rep. Holts joins Central New Jersey veterans on a visit
to Walter Reed in Washington, DC
As our thoughts and prayers remain with our brave men and women serving around the world and their families, we must continue to care for and honor the veterans who fought for our freedom and security. In Congress, I am always mindful of the obligation to provide our veterans with quality healthcare, economic opportunities, and retirement security. They deserve no less. – Rush Holt
Keeping faith with those who have served in our Armed Forces is a sacred national trust. Rep. Holt believes that America has a moral obligation to ensure that veterans receive the health care, disability compensation, readjustment counseling, and job training and placement services that they have earned through their service to our nation. In 2007, Rep. Holt was honored to vote for the largest single increase in the 77-year history of the Veterans Administration.
If you need Rep. Holt’s assistance cutting through tape on a veterans issue, please click here.
In this section:
VA Funding
21 st Century GI Bill
Veterans Employment
Ending the Disabled Veterans Tax
VA Funding
In 2007, Rep. Holt voted to increase the budget for veterans’ health care by $6.7 billion for Fiscal Year 2008, an increase of 7.2 percent over President Bush’s request. This was the largest single increase in the 77-year history of the VA. Holt believes it is essential for the federal government to create a guaranteed funding stream for veterans’ health care, adjusted for inflation and population growth, so that veterans and current members of our Armed Forces can be assured that their benefits will not expire. The VA urgently needs a predictable, reliable funding stream so that medical staff can be hired and retained, critical supplies and services reach the veterans who need them. That is why Holt co-sponsored the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009 (H.R. 1016), which would provide a two-year discretionary budget authority for the VA . It is the best way to ensure that the VA has the resources it needs to care for America’s veterans. H.R. 1016 passed the House on June 23, 2009, the Senate on October 13, 2009 and was signed into law by President Obama on October 22, 2009.
Press Release: Holt Includes Fort Monmouth Health Care Provision In Veterans Affairs Funding Bill (8-1-08)
Floor Speech: Veterans Funding (7-1-08)
21st Century GI Bill
In April 2009, Rep. Holt visited New Jersey National Guardsmen at Fort Sill, Oklahoma before their deployment to Iraq. During the visit, Holt heard their concerns and offered his assistance before, during, and after their deployment. In 2008, Rep. Holt helped Congress pass a GI Bill for the 21 st Century. The original GI bill of 1944 launched millions of families on a course to achieving the American dream – and set the American economy on the right course after a draining war. However, over time the GI Bill educational benefits diminished and paid only about 70 percent of a public college education and 30 percent of a private college education.
Under the updated GI Bill, those who have served on active-duty for three years or more would qualify for a full educational benefit including the costs of a four-year education at the level of the most expensive in-state public school. Those who have served between three months and three years of active duty would qualify for a proportion of that full benefit.
eGenda: A 21st Century GI Bill (5-23-08)
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) began accepting online applications in May for the program, which officially started on August 1, 2009. Due to the large number of GI Bill applications being processed, some veterans who have enrolled in college have not yet received the benefits that they deserve. To ensure that they get the benefits that they need now, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki has authorized a $3,000 emergency advance for those students who have applied for benefits but are still waiting to receive them. Students may obtain these advances, on-the-spot, by visiting regional VA benefits office or by applying online at www.va.org.
Veterans Employment
Rep. Holt has championed legislative efforts to help unemployed veterans and soldiers returning from active duty find jobs. He has reintroduced a resolution to encourage U.S. employers to hire veterans and to designate the week that includes Veterans Day as “Hire a Veteran Week.”
Additionally, Holt has proposed the creation of the American Veterans Congressional Internship Program, a bill designed to help veterans get exposure to the legislative branch of government and increase their opportunities for future careers in government service. Veterans who have completed their military service deserve an opportunity to help influence public policy decisions so that those who follow them into military service benefit from their wisdom and experience.
Press release: Holt Highlights Veterans Employment Initiative, Veterans Funding Work At Lawrenceville National Guard Armory (11-12-07)
Floor Speech: Hire a Veteran Week (1-30-07)
Ending the Disabled Veterans Tax
While some progress has been made in changing the law so that military retirees who receive retired pay can also receive disability pay, there is more work to do. To ensure that military retirees receive 100% of both their retired pay and disability pay, Rep. Holt has co-sponsored the Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act (H.R. 333), which would permit veterans with a service-connected disability of less than 50 percent to claim both retired pay and disability compensation.
Congressional Research Service Reports of Interest
Links
| 
About Rush
