THUNE: Legislation focuses on veterans' needs
The Rapid City JournalAug 26, 2017
Among the highlights of traveling across
Most recently, the president signed the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017. I was proud to cosponsor this legislation, which overhauls the
The president also signed the "Forever GI Bill," which grants full GI Bill benefits to Purple Heart recipients, regardless of their length of service. The bill also eliminates the arbitrary 15-year window in which veterans were required to use their benefits after leaving the military and expands educational opportunities for veterans enrolling in high-tech courses. Broadening the reach of this education benefit will help ensure that veterans can build on their military talents as they return to the civilian world.
The VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017, which makes a significant investment in the Veterans Choice program, became law in early August. These additional funds allow veterans to get timely care in their own communities, rather than enduring long wait times and traveling long distances for care. The bill also authorizes leases for VA medical facilities, including a replacement
The current Rapid City CBOC is outdated and too small to meet veterans' needs. When I met with VA Secretary Shulkin and the rest of the state's congressional delegation this spring, the secretary indicated he wanted to make these improvements in
I'm also pleased to report the VA acted on my request to more prominently feature the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) on its website, VA.gov. I suggested to Secretary Shulkin that the VCL be displayed in the first of four rotating banners on the
Our commitment to the men and women who serve in the military doesn't end when they no longer wear the uniform. In many cases, that's when they need us the most. We owe these heroes and the future defenders of freedom more than we'll ever actually be able to repay, but that shouldn't stop us from trying.