Surviving Spouse Corner
Jeannie Stratis
Happy New Year! Good news from DC!! I’m looking forward to another productive year with many positive changes for our veterans, military family members and caregivers. See everyone at the January 8th luncheon.
Jeannie Stratis,
Surviving Spouse Liaison
News release from December 16, 2024.
House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Media Release:
Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), and Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), released the following statements after the House voted 382-12 to send the bipartisan, bicameral Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, to the president’s desk to be signed into law:
“There is no better way to close out the Congress than to pass a good bill for veterans and their families,” said Chairman Bost. “I am so proud of the changes the Dole Act will bring to VA to modernize, improve, and reshape the delivery of care and benefits. We worked hard to craft this legislation to put veterans – not government bureaucracy – at the core of it. The Dole Act will do that by expanding economic opportunities, simplifying the disability claims process, reforming services for aging veterans, opening more doors for mental health support, and a lot more. I want to thank my friend and colleague, Rep. Ciscomani, our colleagues in the Senate, and the dozens of outside organizations and stakeholders for their support and advocacy to help us deliver for veterans. I look forward to seeing President Biden sign this bill into law as soon as possible.”
“Our freedoms are built on the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of our veterans. When they hang up their uniform and transition back into civilian life, it is our turn to stand for them,” said Rep. Ciscomani.
“As we close the 118th Congress, I am glad to see both chambers of Congress approved my bill, the Dole Act, which makes great strides to modernize and reform the VA, expand access to job training and employment opportunities, streamline the disability claims process, and improve the delivery of care and benefits, whether at the VA or at home. I am grateful to Chairman Bost, my colleagues in the House and Senate, and all the veterans and veteran-serving organizations that worked on this legislative package, and I urge the President to sign this bill into law as soon as possible.”
