Congressman MacArthur Cosponsors Ten Bipartisan Bills to Help Veterans and Troops

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman MacArthur announced he has cosponsored ten bipartisan bills that will provide assistance to service members and veterans.  MacArthur’s district is home to the only tri-service base in the U.S., Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, and to the largest population of veterans in New Jersey.

“Helping our veterans and supporting our service members should never be a partisan issue,” said Congressman MacArthur. “That’s why I’ve always reached across the aisle and worked with my Democrat colleagues to support our veterans and our service members.  These bipartisan bills address many critical issues facing veterans and service members including, military pay, homelessness, VA reform, education, and support for military spouses.  As a country, we have a moral obligation to keep faith with our veterans and service members, and I will continue to work with anyone to make sure we deliver on our promises.”

Bipartisan bills include:

Military Hunger Prevention Act which would prevent military housing allowances from being used to determine eligibility for programs such as SNAP. (Original sponsor: Rep. Davis D-CA)

Military Pay Protection Act which would ensure service members are paid during a Government shutdown. (Original sponsor: Rep. Sinema D-AZ)

Ask Veterans Act which directs the VA Secretary to survey veterans about their experiences at VA treatment facilities. (Original sponsor: Rep. O’ Rourke D-TX)

Homeless Veterans Legal Services Act which directs the VA to partner with public or private entities to fund a portion of the legal services provided to homeless veterans. (Original sponsor: Rep. Beatty D-OH)

Housing Our Heroes Act which directs the VA to establish a pilot grant program to acquire and renovate abandoned homes for homeless veterans. (Original sponsor: Rep. Schneider D-IL)

Veteran Education Empowerment Act that reauthorizes grants for colleges and universities across the country to establish new Veteran Student Centers and to improve existing ones. (Original sponsor: Rep. Frankel D-FL)

Military Spouse Job Continuity Act which will allow military spouses, who move with a service member spouse, a tax credit for up to $500 for qualified professional relicensing costs. (Original sponsor: Rep. Cartwright D-PA)

Wounded Veterans Recreation Act which amends the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to require the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass be made available to any veteran with a service-connected disability. (Original sponsor: Rep. Ruiz D-CA)

Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act which expands eligibility for the VA family caregiver program. (Original sponsor: Rep. Langevin D-RI)

Transportation for Heroes Act which ensures that a public transportation fare of no more than 50% of the peak hour fare will be charged to a U.S. veteran during non-peak hours. (Original sponsor: Rep. Green D-TX)