On Tuesday, I sent a letter calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs to end delays in moving forward with implementing a law which provides the families of seriously injured Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who have left behind careers, lives, and responsibilities with the support they deserve.
Just days after this letter was sent, the VA unveiled their plan for implementing this law. However, the plan included a new criteria narrowing eligibility for the caregiver program that would seriously limit access to benefits for these veterans. This is simply unacceptable. Families of wounded warriors are waiting for these new benefits, and with each day of delay the strain from the sacrifices they make only grows.
“Murray slams VA for limiting caregiver benefits” – The Navy Times
“VA outlines plan to help caregivers of wounded” – Associated Press
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Keeping Washington State Military Families in their Homes
Last week, I sent a letter to Holly Petraeus, head of the Office of Servicemember Affairs in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at the U.S. Treasury Department, in response to concerns that some financial institutions were not offering protections to servicemembers provided under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. The Act is intended to ease concerns over financial situations at home for servicemembers, however, it has recently come to light that some servicemembers have been improperly overcharged on their mortgages or even been foreclosed upon by lenders. I will continue working with the Administration to ensure these protections are implemented.
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Addressing the Needs of Homeless Veterans
On Wednesday, I was briefed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development on their joint report on homelessness among veterans. For too long, these veterans have been forgotten heroes. But this report provides an important foundation to better understand who these veterans are, the nature of the problem they face, and how to develop solutions to address their needs.
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Protecting Women’s Access to Health Care
Last week, I spoke out against legislation being pushed by House Republicans that would endanger women’s health by severely limiting their access to affordable health care and reproductive health services. This bill, one of the very first bills House Republicans have introduced, is not about jobs or our economic recovery; it’s about government standing between women and their personal health care choices. I look forward to standing up to this extreme legislation should it make its way to the Senate.
“Under Banner of Fiscal Restraint, Republicans Plan New Abortion Bills”
– The New York Times
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