Leave No Veteran Behind

Nov 11, 2011 Issues: Veterans

 

Dear Friend,

 

On this Veterans Day, let us pause to honor those who have served this nation.  Let us thank them and their families, and reflect seriously on the sacrifices our veterans have made for this country.

I’m very proud to support former servicemen and women in Congress.  I work every day to ensure that these veterans have the benefits they need and deserve.  In 2008, I was a proud cosponsor of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.  This bill provides a comprehensive education benefits package for veterans who served after September 11, and includes a monthly housing stipend and $1,000 per year for books and supplies.  In the 111th Congress, I helped pass defense appropriations funding that will aid hiring of 2,100 additional veteran's claims processors and increase funding for prosthetics by $250 million.

More than one million veterans are unemployed today.  That’s not right and is why I am supporting two key tax credits put forth by President Obama for businesses that hire veterans.  These tax credits will lower veteran unemployment through increased hiring.  The new Returning Heroes Tax Credit would provide up to $5,600 for businesses who hire veterans who have been unemployed six months or longer. And a Wounded Warriors Tax Credit of up to $9,600 would increase the existing tax credit for firms that hire veterans with service-connected disabilities who have been unemployed six months or longer.

Maintaining our commitment to veterans is one of my most important priorities.  I will continue to support our returning soldiers through legislative action in Washington and in Orange County by resolving case work issues. I ask every Californian to uphold the spirit of Veterans Day by thanking their neighbors and friends for their services to protect America.  I will be attending several Veterans Day events throughout Orange County in the coming days and hope to see you at one of them!

*If you are a veteran and are experiencing difficulties obtaining your benefits, please contact my Garden Grove office for assistance at (714) 621-0102.