Press Releases

On Veterans Day, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), and Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.), released the following statements after the House unanimously passed H.R. 9237, the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act. This pro-taxpayer, landmark veterans’ package expands rural and urban healthcare access, advances education and job opportunities, expands mental health and substance abuse treatment options, supports America’s Gold Star families, cuts red tape and improves operations at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and finally delivers the Maj. Richard Star Act to over 60,000 combat-wounded, medically retired disabled veterans.

“The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act is a historic healthcare and benefits expansion that will positively impact millions of veterans and American families. This landmark bill finally reduces the wounded veteran tax, it expands mental health options, it improves the Transition Assistance Program, it advances pro-growth policies to ensure veterans and their families can access the healthcare and benefits they are eligible for,” said Chairman Bost. “We have found a pathway to finally get these historic healthcare, benefits, and transformations done at VA for veterans and American families for the first time in years and I am committed to working with the Senate to get this bill over the finish line and to the president’s desk before the end of the year. The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act is for families like the Brileys, the Edmundsons, the young Gold Star spouse who is raising a family, the caregivers whose lives were forever changed by their loved one’s military service and provide support, and the veterans who live with the visible wounds of military service every single day. This bill will make a difference in their lives. This bill will help families make ends meet. This bill will uphold the promise. My message to our entire veteran community with the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act passing out of the House on Veterans Day is simple: House Republicans – America – has got your back.”

“From the first American soldiers who defeated the most powerful army on Earth, to the liberators of Europe during World War II, to the heroes who answered the call of duty after our nation was attacked on 9/11, American veterans have played an indispensable role in the history and unmatched success of our republic. For their sacrifice and service, we have a duty to uphold the promise this country made to the men and women who pledged their lives to defend it,” said Speaker Johnson. “The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act keeps that promise by strengthening health care and mental health services, expanding education and economic opportunities, modernizing veterans’ benefits, and supporting the caregivers and military families who serve alongside our veterans. This legislation delivers for every veteran and every future man or woman who will answer the call to put on the uniform, and we are grateful to Chairman Bost and the Veterans’ Affairs Committee for their work to get this transformational package across the finish line.”

“This Veterans Day, House Republicans are reaffirming our commitment to those who served. The House passed a package of more than 60 bills to strengthen veterans’ healthcare, improve access to VA benefits and services, and expand economic opportunities. The Take Care of America's Veterans Act ensures that the American heroes who fought for our country receive the care and benefits they earned – without burdensome red tape. House Republicans are committed to leaving no veteran behind,” said Leader Scalise.

“We have a responsibility to ensure our veterans have the support, resources, and care they’ve earned. The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act will have an immediate impact on our veteran community by expanding access to mental health care, increasing benefits for combat-injured and disabled veterans, cutting red tape that interferes with timely access to medical care, and enhancing benefits for the surviving families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,” said Majority Whip Emmer. “Chairman Bost and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs have worked tirelessly on this legislation, and I thank them for their work and share their commitment of taking care of our nation’s veterans.”

“When someone volunteers to defend our country, we make them a promise. If they come home wounded, if they need health care, if their family needs support, America will be there. This bill helps ensure America keeps its word,” said Chairwoman McClain.

The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act includes over 60 bipartisan provisions to provide the largest healthcare and benefits expansion to veterans, their families, and their survivors in decades, including a range of policy proposals led by the following key members:

"Our veterans gave everything for this country, and they earned the very best care it can provide. This package delivers it. It puts doctors, not bureaucrats, back at the center of veterans' health care and expands access to treatment both inside the VA and in the community," said Dr. Miller-Meeks. "It cuts the red tape that has kept veterans waiting far too long for the care they need, and it stands behind the caregivers who serve our heroes day and night, often at great sacrifice to themselves. As a physician and a 24-year Army veteran, I can think of no greater honor than fighting for those who wore our nation's uniform. To every veteran and every family who has carried the weight of that service: we see you, we thank you, and we will never stop working to keep our promise to you."

“The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act combines dozens of bipartisan bills to make critical reforms that will help the VA meet veterans’ needs. This includes the long-overdue Major Richard Star Act that provides veterans injured in combat with full retirement pay and eight of my bipartisan bills that will help reduce health care wait times, improve customer service, expand financial support for disabled veterans and Gold Star families, and more,” said Rep. Barrett.

In addition to the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, the House also passed H.R. 8552, the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act, this week.

To learn more about the historic Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, click here. The sweeping veterans’ package is supported by 30+ veteran service organizations, advocates, and stakeholders, including:

The American Legion

Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)

Wounded Warrior Project

Elizabeth Dole Foundation

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

American Veterans (AMVETS)

Air Force Sergeants Association

American Optometric Association

Avalon Action Alliance

Commissioned Officers Association of the USPHS (COA)

Gold Star Spouses of America

K9s For Warriors

Korean War Veterans Association

Military Chaplains Association

Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH)

Mission Roll Call

National Defense Committee

National Military Family Association (NMFA)

USCG Chief Petty Officers Association (CPOA)

Vietnam Veterans of America

Veterans Justice Alliance

Veterans Survivors Coalition

Concerned Veterans for America (CVA)

Americans For Prosperity (AFP)

National Federal Development Association (NFDA)

ALS Association

National Association of State Approving Agencies (NASAA)

National Taxpayers Union

The Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC)

Summit Behavioral Healthcare (Summit BHC)

The Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA)