Veterans & Military
Caring for our veterans and active military involves more than thanking them for their service. As veterans return home, our nation has an obligation to assist them in preparing to reenter into civilian life, including access to earned benefits, education, jobs and opportunities.
Brian’s fight for those who fight for our nation includes protecting the needs of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station and its future, and supporting the services provided through the Veteran Administration Western New York Healthcare System.
Higgins has successfully pushed through legislation ensuring blinded veterans and Blue Water Vietnam veterans receive the benefits they deserve. He cosponsored legislation expanding the successful Veteran Treatment Court program, which began in Buffalo, to communities across the nation. And he repeatedly fought to maintain the Kids Korner program which provides free child care services to veterans during medical appointments at the Buffalo VA Hospital.
More on Veterans & Military
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) applauded President Biden’s executive order revoking President Trump’s actions banning transgender troops from serving in the United States Military. Higgins released the following statement:
“Americans who sign up to serve and protect deserve nothing less than equal protections from the country they bravely defend. It is an incredibly selfless act to commit oneself to the military. Denying these selfless individuals the ability to simply be themselves is shameful. We welcome the new Commander-in-Chief’s actions to right this historic wrong.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced veterans who have parkinsonism, bladder cancer, and hypothyroidism as a result of Agent Orange exposure may now apply for disability compensation provided by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) under the recently approved National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced approval of legislation providing multiple improvements to veteran services. The legislation, a Senate Amendment to H.R. 7105, contains a measure that will provide permanent authorization for Kids Korner at the Buffalo VA, which Higgins has repeatedly fought for.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced approval of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Commemorative Coin Act. Higgins is an original cosponsor of the bipartisan bill which provides resources to preserve the stories of United States veterans who earned a Purple Heart medal.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced passage of bills aimed at honoring and supporting our nation’s veterans through improvements in healthcare, mental health care and earned benefit programs.
Higgins said, “Our nation’s veterans are heroes. When they return to civilian life they deserve the support of our communities and the nation they selflessly served. From assistance with healthcare to ensuring the promise of their earned benefits, we are proud to deliver this comprehensive set of bills that honor and respect their sacrifices.”
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26), New York State Senator Tim Kennedy and members of the Western New York community came together to celebrate the military service of Carmelo Lopez-Febus. Private First Class Lopez-Febus was presented with the Congressional Gold Medal for serving in the 65th Infantry Regiment known as “The Borinqueneers” during the Korean War.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) joined Western New York postal workers and residents in expressing outrage and opposition to operational changes which threaten to sabotage the United States Postal Service (USPS). The community gathered in front of the William Street mail processing facility in Buffalo, as the Congressman prepares to head to Washington, DC where the House of Representatives will vote on legislation to protect and provide emergency relief to the USPS.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) says the announcement by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy indicating he is temporarily pausing sweeping changes to the United States Postal Service (USPS) doesn’t demonstrate the Postmaster has a true understanding of what the Postal Service means to Americans and provides no confidence that sabotage of the Postal Service won’t continue.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) is among over 170 Members of Congress pushing back on recent efforts by the Trump Administration to diminish services and refuse funding for the United States Postal Service.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) joined a group of 89 members calling on Congressional leadership to include funding for the census in the next COVID-19 relief package, accompanied by a necessary extension to census reporting deadlines. The letter follows a recent announcement by the Census Bureau to suddenly end field data collection by September 30.