Supporting Our Nation’s Veterans
Hello Folks –
September is drawing to a close, which means we’re gearing up for pumpkin pie, hot apple cider, and – hopefully – more football wins! In DC, things have been as busy as ever.
In a familiar turn of events, last week, Congress managed to avert a government shutdown (again), reaching another short-term agreement to extend funding until later this year. This move aims to buy more time for Congress to negotiate and agree on the final details of the spending bills.
While we can breathe a sigh of relief that a shutdown was avoided once more, it’s hardly a moment for celebration. Congress simply keeping the lights on while funding government a few months at a time creates unnecessary instability and is a waste of taxpayers’ money.
It doesn’t need to be this dysfunctional. In fact, as part of my work on the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, I proposed a number of reforms to the budget and appropriations process to reduce this chaos. In addition, it’s important to recognize that, in a period of divided government, neither party is going to get everything it wants (and both parties may need to swallow some provisions they don’t like). The American people deserve better than can-kicking and I’m hopeful that in the coming weeks Congress can come to agreement on a long-term budget that meets the needs of the American people.
Rather than going through the blow by blow of current events, in this week’s newsletter, I’d like to do something different. Specifically, I’d like to highlight some of the progress we’ve made together in support of our nation’s veterans.
Honoring Our Veterans
Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to those who put their lives on the line to defend our freedom. That means assisting them as they transition into the civilian workforce, fighting to make sure they secure the benefits they have earned, working to ensure every veteran has a home, and honoring every veteran’s service to our nation.
During my time as your representative, I’ve worked with partners from every corner of our region.
Honoring Veterans of the Vietnam Era
Between 1956 and 1975, 2.7 million Americans served in some of the most severe conditions in the history of American warfare in Vietnam. Years after the end of the war, too many Vietnam veterans have not been sufficiently recognized for their service and sacrifice.
Over the years, I’ve tried to change that – holding community celebrations in every corner of our district to honor Vietnam veterans. These events featured an opportunity to present veterans with Vietnam veteran lapel pins, provided by the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, as a lasting commemoration of our nation’s thanks.
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In addition, I’m proud to report that earlier this month, the House unanimously passed bipartisan legislation I led with Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Dustoff crewmembers of the Vietnam War. That bill was signed into law last Thursday!
Dustoff crewmembers – helicopter air ambulance pilots, crew chiefs, and medics – performed aeromedical evacuation of over 900,000 U.S., Vietnamese, and allied forces from May 1962 to March 1973. Often faced foul weather, mountainous terrain, and intense enemy fire – with crewmembers facing a one-in-three chance of being wounded or killed.
Since the American Revolution, Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. Getting this legislation passed to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Dustoff Crews is an opportunity for Congress – and our country - to say to Vietnam Veterans and Dustoff Crew Members: “We are grateful for your service and sacrifice for our country."
Improving Health Care for Veterans
When veterans walk into a VA facility, they should know they’re going to receive a level of care that’s worthy of the service and sacrifice they gave to our nation. That’s why I introduced bipartisan legislation to make sure every VA facility is held to the high standards the American public expects the country to provide its veterans. The aim was to improve service and ensure that the VA system is held accountable for providing America’s veterans the benefits they’ve earned and deserve.
In addition, a few years ago, I led the charge to build and open a new Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Silverdale, a facility designed to better meet the needs of the region’s veterans. This project is not just a building. It’s a place that provides vital care to all those who served. And while the road to getting the clinic was rocky at times, it was an inspiring moment when the project finally broke ground in 2018 and officially opened in 2019. Now, local veterans are better able to get the care they deserve quickly, comprehensively, and without having to travel long distances. That’s a big deal.
Additionally, two years ago, I co-sponsored and voted to pass the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act – legislation that has since become law. With this new law, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is now covering health care and disability benefits for veterans who were exposed to airborne toxins, burn pits, radiation, and Agent Orange during their service and have since developed a toxin-exposure-related illness.
As of August, more than 1 million Veterans and their survivors have received disability compensation benefits under the PACT Act. That’s progress!
In early 2023, I also introduced the Planning for Aging Veterans Act, legislation that is now law - helping make the VA step up to ensure all veterans in our region, and in every corner of our country, have the support and care that they have earned and deserve as they age.
That new law focused on standardizing VA processes to ensuring that catastrophically disabled veterans in State homes receive their benefits without delay. We also established a pilot program which will provide geriatric psychiatry assistance to eligible veterans at State veterans’ homes. Thanks to these efforts, our veterans can feel safe and secure in State homes, even as they age.
Solving Casework Problems for Veterans and Their Families
When folks have an issue with a federal agency, my dedicated and experienced casework team (who makes up half of my entire team in the district) has been there to help. From ensuring federal agencies respond promptly to constituent requests, to holding agencies accountable when veterans have not received the benefits that they have earned, to other matters, our team has focused on making sure government works for you.
In fact, in the last 5 years, my team has helped more than 530 veterans across our region overcome obstacles with the VA.
Quick example: A few years back, a man called my office and said, “you know, I served in the Vietnam War, and I was shot up on a mission, but I never received my Purple Heart.” It turns out his mission was in Laos and was classified. My team went to work on it, and, in one of the best days I've had in this job, I got to pin a Purple Heart to his chest on behalf of a grateful nation.
Back in 2020, my legislation to rename the Bremerton Post Office in honor of John Henry Turpin, a distinguished U.S. Navy sailor, was signed into law by the President. The legislation honored the lifelong resident of Bremerton, who is believed to be the first Black American to qualify as a Master Diver, in a civilian capacity, and was one of the first Black Americans to achieve the rank of Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy - an outstanding legacy of service to our country was made even more significant by the era of prejudice and discrimination during which he served.
Photo courtesy of Meegan M. Reid/Kitsap Sun
I could keep writing about the work we’ve done together on behalf of veterans for a few more pages --- we’ve hosted roundtables to help connect veterans in our region to federal resources, introduced legislation to help ensure veterans have the tools and resources they need to access home loans and attain homeownership, and secured funding for the VA to support more veterans than ever before.
But the most important thing I want to communicate is that it has been among my greatest honors to be able to champion the needs of those who serve or who have served. As the representative for a district that’s home to more than 73,000 veterans, I’m conscious that our community is stronger and our country is freer because of the men and women who have served.
To our veterans – and to every family member or friend who has supported a veteran – thank you.
OK – that’s it for now, folks. As always, I’m honored to represent you.
Sincerely,
Derek Kilmer