Veterans
As a nation we have a sacred obligation to our veterans. Those who have sacrificed so much must know that their voices are being heard in Congress. I will work diligently with my colleagues to help ensure proper oversight of the Veterans Administration to protect the benefits our veterans have earned.
Congress must hold the VA accountable and remove red tape that keeps it from doing its primary function—helping veterans. As millions of veterans return from the front lines, programs covering mental health, business, education and home loans must be properly funded and administered.
The Sixth Congressional District is home to two fabulous VA facilities, the St. Cloud VA Medical Center and the Ramsey Community Based Outpatient Clinic. These centers must be accessible for the thousands of veterans who call the Sixth District home.
More on Veterans
Our soldiers and veterans are the best that this nation has to offer. They put their lives on the line and sacrifice so much so that the rest of us can go to bed in a nation that is free. Since they risk their lives to take care of us, I believe that we must take care of them once they return home.
That is why I will be holding an upcoming Veterans Resource Fair on October 15th. This wonderful fair will give our veterans the assistance they need in the following areas: VA Benefits, VA Billing Issues, Education Benefits, Federal Benefits, and Community Benefits.
Washington, D.C. – On Monday, the Minnesota Congressional Delegation called upon U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald to visit the St. Cloud VA Health Care System (St. Cloud VA) as soon as possible to reassure the employees and the thousands of veterans they serve of the VA’s commitment to providing a healthy and productive workplace to ensure delivery of the highest quality medical care.
Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, Congressmen Tom Emmer (MN-06) and Tim Walz (MN-01) introduced H.R. 3686 - the Veterans Care and Reporting Enforcement Act (CARE) Act.
This bipartisan legislation was introduced after an unreleased report from 2013 surfaced earlier this year and demonstrated a need for more transparency around reports from the Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General.
The Veterans CARE Act:
Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Tom Emmer (R-MN) and Tim Walz (D-MN), who sits on the House Veterans Affairs Oversight and Investigation Sub-committee, visited the St. Cloud VA to conduct oversight following the release of a report by the Office of the Inspector General that was conducted by the VA Midwest Health Network (VISN-23) in 2013.
Washington, D.C. -- Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) today signed on as an original cosponsor of the VA Billing Accountability Act. Congressman John Kline (MN-02), who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, introduced this legislation.
Over the summer, nearly 1,500 veterans from around Minnesota and Wisconsin received notice from their local Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VA) regarding previously unbilled co-payments from care provided as far as five years ago.
Washington, D.C. -- Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) introduced two pieces of legislation this week—the Keeping Our Promises to Veterans Act of 2015 and the National Interchange/Intersection Safety Construction Program Act of 2015. These are Emmer’s first bills introduced as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
H.R. 1532, the Keeping Our Promises to Veterans Act of 2015
On Saturday I had the honor of attending a departure ceremony in St. Cloud for 12 Minnesota National Guard soldiers. As part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the Detachment 1, Charlie Company 1-171 Aviation Regiment is heading to Kuwait for a year-long deployment, where they will conduct medical evacuations. It was a joy to see so many family, friends, and members of the community join together to give these impressive men and women a proper sendoff.