Press Releases

Last week, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), delivered the following remarks, as prepared, at the AMVETS 2024 National Convention in Springfield, Illinois.


Good afternoon, everyone!

I am honored to be here today in my home state of Illinois.

I would first like to recognize National Commander Bill Clark and his lovely wife.

Thank you for having me here this afternoon.

You are well represented in D.C. with Joe Chenelly and Justin Brown advocating for AMVETS’ priorities.

I also want to say thank you to everyone here for the incredible work you do for veterans.

Your continued service to our nation and the veteran community does not go unnoticed.

I appreciate your advocacy in Washington and across the country.

It’s about veterans helping veterans, and it doesn’t get much better than that.

As Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, a Marine Corps veteran, and the only veteran of Senate and House V.A. Committee leadership, this work is incredibly personal to me.

The current mental health crisis affecting our veterans is especially painful.

A priority of mine is ensuring that veterans have the quality and timely mental health care support that works for them.

Right now, we are losing 17 veterans a day to suicide.

Let me repeat that. 17 veterans a day.

That is unacceptable.

As Chairman of the House V.A. Committee I am working to hold V.A. accountable to meet the mental health needs of every veteran.

I believe that there should be no wrong door when it comes to mental health support.

If V.A. does not have the capacity to meet a veterans’ personal need, veterans MUST have the option to seek care in their communities so that they do not have to wait months for care.

We know that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to care and treatment.

There are so many alternatives to the standard treatment options.

Veterans can get involved with organizations who are Fox Grant recipients.

The groups receive grant funding from V.A. to provide community-based outreach and suicide prevention efforts through non-traditional practices.

Or, if a veteran isn’t comfortable with any of those options, the veteran can go to a V.A. Vet Center for a wide range of services.

I want to ensure that V.A. is meeting veterans where they are and with the care they are eligible for.

We’re fighting in DC to make that a reality for veterans and their families every day.

I am also incredibly proud of the work the House V.A. Committee has done for women veterans.

As you all know, women veterans are the fastest growing group of veterans.

We must do everything we can to ensure that V.A. keeps up with this growth.

That is why I reauthorized the Women Veteran Task Force earlier this Congress.

The Task Force held a number of roundtables on important conversations about issues that women veterans are facing with getting access to the care and benefits they are eligible for.

Under my leadership, we will continue to have these discussions and will do our part to meet all veterans’ needs.

Veterans should have a say in their healthcare, and I will not stop fighting until that is a reality for each and every one of them.

This is exactly why I am working hard to pass the bipartisan, bicameral Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act.

We’ve worked hard to get this veterans’ bill right, and I know that once it gets across the finish line it will make a huge, positive impact in the lives of veterans, their families, and their survivors.

I’d like to thank AMVETS for your continued support of the Dole Act.

Whether it’s ensuring our veterans get the best educational opportunities; or ensuring veterans receive quality mental healthcare; you and I share many priorities; many of which are included in this bill.

The Dole Act, combined with Congressional oversight, is badly needed to hold V.A. accountable.

I look forward to continuing to work with AMVETS this Congress to make these important changes a reality for your members.

Thank you for your service to our great country, thank you for your work, and thank you for your tireless dedication to those who have worn the uniform and sacrificed so much.

I appreciate you all having me here today. God Bless.