As Representative of California’s 25th Congressional District, I am proud to serve the many Veterans and their families that reside in our community. These brave men and women have put their lives on the line time and again to defend our nation and their sacrifice must never be forgotten.
As our service members return home from Iraq and Afghanistan, Congress must continue to focus on assisting in their transition back to civilian life. For many of these individuals, the wounds of war are not so easily forgotten and it is imperative that we stand by these soldiers.
During the 112th Congress I will continue to focus on the important issues affecting our nation’s veterans and their families. Additionally, I have established a Veterans Advisory Group in the district in order to provide additional resources to our community’s veterans.
Veterans Advisory Group
Through the Veterans Advisory Group, I host quarterly meetings with representatives from local veteran organizations, such as the American Legion, VFW, VA, Vet Center, Marine Corps League, Antelope Valley Veteran Community Action Coalition, Mental Health America, Antelope Valley Veteran Alliance, Back to the War Zone, Vietnam Veterans of America, Military Recruiters, Blue Star Mothers, Prayer Angels for the Military, College of the Canyons Veteran Office, Antelope Valley Veteran Office and more.
Tricare
In February 2012, President Obama proposed his budget for Fiscal Year 2013. Under his administration's budget, military members and retirees will see a huge jump in their TRICARE fees. TRICARE is the health care program that serves our uniformed service members, retirees and their families.
Our country is facing grave budget issues, and we have agreed that every part of the federal budget needs to be on the table. However, so far cuts to the Department of Defense have taken up half of the table. Our national defense accounts for 20% of our federal budget, however the President is proposing that 50% of our overall spending cuts be from the defense of our nation. Even if we were to completely zero out spending in the Department of Defense, the federal government would still be running on record deficits! We can’t solve all of our country’s financial problems on the back of our troops or who will have our backs the next time we get attacked?
It is unacceptable for our heroes who have risked their lives in service to our country to be welcomed back home with increased expenses for their families.
