John Dingell
Honors our Troops on Veterans Day
Asks incoming Republican
Majority to ensure our veterans are not left behind in the 112th
Congress
Congressman Dingell, a veteran of World War II, paid tribute
to our nation’s veterans on Veterans Day. The Congressman
was part of the 110th and the 111th Congresses that, under Democratic
leadership, enacted historic veterans legislation. The American
Legion called the 111th Congress a “banner year” for
veterans
legislation.
“During times of war and peace, Veterans Day is filled with mixed
emotions. Around the country, fellow citizens are joining together to
celebrate and mourn their loved ones, family members, friends and colleagues
who have served our nation. This year, as in the past nine years, we
are honoring our nation’s 23 million brave veterans while keeping
close in our hearts the young men and women who are currently serving
our country in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Congressman Dingell.
“By paying tribute with words and deeds to our veterans,
we show our veterans, those who are serving, and those who will sign
up to serve that they will not be
forgotten.”
Over the last four years, Congress made veterans a
top priority by delivering historic budget increases, passing a 21st
century GI bill, and providing advance appropriations to the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In 2006, Congress provided the
largest single increase to the VA in its 78-year history. Since
2006, VA discretionary funding has increased 60 percent. Said
Congressman Dingell, “The fact is, more veterans are taking
advantage of the health care available to them through the VA. This is
owed to a Veterans Health Administration that is better funded, has
hired thousands more doctors and nurses, and which, through advance
appropriations, can now plan in advance to meet its future
needs.
“I am very proud to be
a part of the Congresses that have ushered in better benefits, health
care, and research for our veterans.” Dingell continued.
Congressman Dingell helped enact
the Post-911 GI Bill, legislation that restores the promise of a full,
four-year college education, allowing up to two million warriors of
the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts to be part of a new American
economic recovery, just like after World War II. The GI Bill benefits
took effect in August 2010. In addition, Dingell helped passed
the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, which provided $250 to
nearly two million disabled veterans.
Congress has also sought to meet the needs of those currently
serving. In recognition of the financial hardship that can
sometimes accompany service, Congress enacted a 3.4 percent pay increase to
the troops. In addition, Congress passed legislation providing
for “stop loss” payments so that troops serving between
September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009, whose tours were involuntarily
extended, are eligible for a payment of $500 for every additional 30
days served under stop loss orders. Troops can apply for these
payments until December 3, 2010. According to the White House, some
servicemembers have been reluctant to apply for the stop-loss benefit,
believing it to be a scam. Said Congressman Dingell, “I urge
anyone who thinks they may be eligible for stop loss payments to
apply. This is an important benefit that our young men and women
should not miss out on.” (Eligible personnel can go to
here for more information, or
to submit a claim.)
Congressman
Dingell implored the incoming Republican majority in the U.S. House of
Representatives to continue on the current path and to work across
the aisle to ensure we are providing our veterans with the care,
treatments, and benefits they have earned through their
service.