These questions are culled from phone calls, letters, faxes and e-mails sent to Rep. Gallegly's Camarillo, Solvang, and Washington offices. Each week Rep. Gallegly adds another question and answer. Please add your comments.
November 11, 2011
Question: What is Congress doing to support our nation’s veterans?
Answer: Veterans Day is a time to thank and honor those who have fought for our freedoms. Our country is in the midst of a budget crisis. However, Congress has not forgotten the service our veterans have provided for their country and will continue to support them.
The 112th Congress has passed a number of bills that support our country’s veterans. Most recently, Congress passed H.R. 2055, which appropriates $69.5 billion in funding for Veteran Affairs, including $52.5 billion for medical benefits. Additionally, I co-sponsored a bill that is a priority for supporting our nation’s veterans, H.R. 303, the Retired Pay Restoration Act. This bill provides that pay for military retirees will not be reduced because a military retiree is also receiving disability compensation for a service-connected disability.
Veterans in my district have expressed concerns about the delays in processing benefits in the Department of Veteran Affairs Los Angeles Regional Office. In response, I and some of my colleagues sent a letter to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) that requests a study to address this issue and develop possible solutions. In the meantime, I am continuing to work with the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure all veterans receive the benefits to which they are entitled.
If you are a veteran and need assistance applying for benefits, please use my website to help process your request.
For previous Questions of the Week chronologically and by topic, please see my Questions of the Week page.
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