Taking Care of Our Veterans

April 25, 2008 - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid spoke this week after the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act passed the Senate 96-1. This much needed legislation expands eligibility for traumatic injury insurance, extends eligibility for specially adapted housing benefits to veterans with severe burns, increases benefits for veterans pursuing apprenticeships or on-job training programs; and restores veteran status to Filipino veterans who served under United States command during World War II. "At a time when 150,000 men and women are serving our country bravely in Iraq, providing for our veterans is one of our most important responsibilities. This long-overdue bill provides for, supports and honors America's veterans, both young and old," said Senator Reid.

In addition to passing this legislation, over the past year, Senate Democrats have taken decisive action to provide Department of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Administration (VA) with the resources they needed to ensure proper facility maintenance, first-rate medical treatment, and timely service for all of our nation's wounded veterans. Senate Democrats have also secured emergency funding to fill in gaps left behind by the Bush Administration, advanced landmark legislation on the treatment and management of wounded warriors, and passed the largest budget in the history of our country for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Yet more must be done to ensure that our wounded warriors receive the care they deserve. Our military medical facilities are short-staffed and our veterans are suffering through a bureaucratic nightmare. Instead of hiding the facts, the Bush Administration should work with Congress to improve the care our wounded warriors receive.

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