An Update on my Most Recent Work - Veterans Day
Dear Neighbor,
Happy Veterans Day! Today and every day, I’m grateful for our brave veterans and servicemembers who have sacrificed so much to serve our country.
Right now, I know it seems like Washington, D.C., is filled with partisan chaos. But despite much of the fighting we see online and in the news, there are still issues on which lawmakers are committed to working together. Honoring our veterans and servicemembers is one of those issues.
As the Representative for Camp Pendleton and as the Ranking Member on the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, I’m committed to working with my reasonable colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver results for you. In fact, during my time in Congress, I’ve passed 24 laws that help our veterans and military families. That’s why today, on Veterans Day, I wanted to use this opportunity to highlight some of my recent work for those who have served our country.
Health Care and Benefits
During their service, millions of veterans were exposed to toxic substances from burn pits and other hazards. To ensure veterans are able to receive the health care and benefits they deserve as a result of their exposure to these hazards, I helped pass the Honoring our PACT Act, which expanded VA health care and benefits.
If you or someone you know might be eligible for PACT Act benefits, learn more by visiting the VA’s website here.
Education
Many veterans receive federal support to help pay for college, graduate school, and training programs through their GI Bill education benefits. However, some veterans have been taken advantage of by predatory or fraudulent educational and vocational programs. Earlier this year, I introduced a bill that would protect veterans from these institutions and hold bad actors accountable. Veterans should never have to worry that their education is being jeopardized or that they will be harmed by a predatory institution.
Learn more here.
Transition to Civilian Life
As Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, I’m committed to providing veterans the tools they need to transition to civilian life. I introduced a bill that will realign transition, education, and employment programs at VA under a new Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration. As a result, veterans will have greater access to the benefits they deserve.
Learn more here.
Fighting Hunger
The men and women who risk their lives for our country should never struggle to feed themselves or their children. Yet, sadly, too many military families are food insecure. That’s why I introduced a bill that would remove the basic allowance for housing (BAH) from the calculation of income for free- and reduced-price school meal eligibility, allowing more families to access nutrition assistance.
Learn more here.
Travel
The costs of obtaining and renewing a passport shouldn’t burden those who have already sacrificed so much in the line of duty. I introduced the Passports for Purple Hearts Act, which eliminates passport book fees for Purple Heart recipients. Eliminating this financial barrier will make it easier for Purple Heart recipients to obtain their essential travel documents. Our veterans deserve our support, and this bipartisan bill is a small token of gratitude for their service.
Learn more here.
Contact My Office
If you have questions about my work or need help with a federal agency, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. My team, which includes two veterans who handle casework, and I are here to assist. You can send me an email through my website, call my Oceanside office at (760) 599-5000, or call my Dana Point office at (949) 281-2449. For updates on my work on behalf of our communities, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @RepMikeLevin.
Sincerely,
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Mike Levin
Member of Congress