Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 1, 2014. Yesterday, Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (IL-08) voted for H.R. 4486 – the 2015 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act – which passed the House of Representatives. The bill would provide $158.2 billion in funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs, 7% more than in fiscal year 2014.
Duckworth advocated for funding for the Veterans caregiver supporter program, support for homeless Veterans and job training for Veterans transitioning to the private sector to be included in the legislation. She also encouraged the VA to strengthen collaborations with research universities and teaching hospitals such as Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. The partnerships will focus on the treatment and research of mental health disorders, such as Post Traumatic Stress and traumatic brain injury. Duckworth also asked that the VA’s national ophthalmology services be expanded to better serve Veterans with eye injuries.
“Our Veterans deserve every opportunity to achieve the American Dream that they fought for,” said Duckworth. “This legislation allows the VA to better process Veterans claims, address Veterans homelessness and help those who served successfully transition into the private sector. I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for working together to pass this vital legislation for our nation’s Veterans.”
Source: duckworth.house.gov
