Last week, VetsFirst spent three days on Capitol Hill meeting with 11 members of Congress and their staff members, and committee staff for the House and Senate Committees of Veterans’ Affairs regarding our public policy priorities for 2013.
Our core public policy principles promote community integration and independence; timely access to quality VA health care and benefits; and the rights of disabled veterans. In an effort to highlight our concerns about access to employment, which is critical to community integration and independence, VetsFirst met with Rep. Bill Flores (R-TX) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA). Rep. Flores is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity for the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, which is the committee that focuses on education and employment opportunities for veterans. Rep. Takano is the Ranking Member for the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee. During these meetings, we expressed our concerns that more must be done to ensure that disabled veterans have access to the types of information and resources that will educate them about their rights in seeking employment or education as a person with a disability. Both Rep. Flores and Rep. Takano expressed interest in our concerns and we will continue to work with them to look for ways to ensure that disabled veterans and transitioning servicemembers have access to this information.
Paul J. Tobin, United Spinal president (left); Heather Ansley, MSW, vice president of Veterans Policy at VetsFirst; and Rep. Al Green (D-TX).
VetsFirst also met with Rep. Al Green (D-TX) who has been a champion for increased assistance for disabled veterans who need housing adaptations that will allow them to remain in or return to their homes. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to again thank the Congressman for his sponsorship of the Housing Assistance for Veterans (HAVEN) Act (H.R. 385). We remain committed to passage of this key legislation which will provide grants to nonprofits that help disabled or low-income veterans who need housing adaptations or home repairs.
We will continue to meet with these and other members of Congress in the coming months to ensure that legislation that meets our priorities becomes law.