In the below listed Press Release, an elected Combat Veteran For Congress, Congressman Jeff J. Denham, SSgt-USAF (R-CA-10) http://www.DenhamForCongress.com introduced two pieces of legislation to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles impeding Veterans’ access to health care and is advocating extending military commissary and exchange privileges to Wounded Combat Veterans and Disabled American Veterans and their families.  At a time when the Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, In a legal decision, found the Department of Veterans Affairs in violation of federal law for failing to provide mental health referrals for Combat Veterans suffering from PTSD in a timely manner, in some cases, the back log extends for over 3 years, and an average of 18 Veterans per day commit suicide and never have their request for medical support even looked at.   Congressman Denham is again demonstrating his compassion and deep concern for the welfare of Veterans, especially those suffering with PTSD, because as a Veteran he fully understands and is sympathetic to their plight.  Congressman Denham’s action speaks much louder than the hollow words we often hear from those in Congress who say they support Veterans; Congressman Denham’s measure received wide support from Veterans groups nationally and the 19 elected Combat Veterans For Congress serving in the 113th Congress.

 Congressman Denham demonstrates his strong support for Veterans that all members of Congress should display; unfortunately certain members of Congress have repeatedly demonstrated their lack of support for Veterans and for the Department of Defense.  Most recently by voting for and  passing sequestration, which “Obama created in 2011”, members of Congress saddled the US Armed Forces with an unfair 50% of all cuts in government spending, despite the fact that they are only spend 18% of the annual federal budget.  Over the next 10 years, that unreasonable cuts in the percentage of all government spending forced on the DOD budget will degrade the training, operational readiness, and Combat Effectiveness of the US military, while China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran are building up their conventional military forces and expanding their nuclear tipped missile arsenals. 

We strongly encourage our national base of supporters to aide in the re-election of Congressman Jeff J. Denham, SSgt-USAF (R-CA-10) in the 2014 mid-term election, by either supporting his campaign financially, encouraging voters in his Congressional District that they know,, to vote for him, and/or by working in his campaign to help him to win re-election.  We encourage all American voters to support the re-election of all the 17 endorsed Combat Veterans For Congress in the House of Representatives who will be standing for re-election in the 2014 mid-term election; all their profiles are posted on the Endorsements page of the Combat Veterans For Congress’ Web site.  We also encourage you to forward this E-mail on to those in your address book who support the Combat Veterans For Congress who continue to protect and defend the US Constitution, support Veterans issues, and will continue to look out for the welfare of all active duty military personnel.

 
WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) introduced two pieces of legislation Wednesday to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles impeding veterans’ access to care and extend military commissary and exchange store privileges to disabled veterans and their families.

H.R.1132, the Efficient Service for Veterans Act, would streamline the process for veterans at Vet Centers by allowing them to access their DD-214 at any of the 300 Vet Centers across the country.

“This bill eliminates a hurdle impeding care for thousands of veterans across our country.  We must remember our commitment to take care of our troops for the years to come,” said Representative Denham, member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. “Our commitment to our veterans is to make sure they are aware of the care available to them and their families, and to ensure they receive this care in the most seamless way possible.”

Currently if a veteran has lost his DD-214 it can take up to six weeks or longer to receive a copy from the National Archives.  In the meantime a veteran cannot prove their eligibility for Veterans Administration benefits.  This bill gives Vet Centers access to two electronic databases that contain the DD-214 information allowing them to provide instant verification of eligibility and eliminating a lengthy bureaucratic delay for many veterans.

Rep. Denham also introduced H.R.1131, which would extend commissary and exchange store privileges to veterans with a service-connected disability and their families.

“Our service men and women risk their lives every day to protect our country and I’m committed to making sure we preserve the rights, protections and benefits that America's brave and heroic veterans deserve,” said Denham. “This legislation is a common-sense bill that will provide much needed help for our disabled veterans and their families. I will continue to work on behalf of our veterans in Congress to take the best care possible of our brave and deserving veterans.”

Commissary benefits are part of the military pay and benefits package that is designed to recruit and retain Armed Forces while enhancing the quality of life and readiness for America's military personnel, retirees and their families.  Access to commissaries and exchanges is generally limited to military retirees who are retired from the military under either longevity or disability criteria.

Both measures were introduced by Denham last Congress and received widespread support from Veteran Service Organizations.

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Amanda Maddox

Communications Director

Congressman Jeff Denham, CA-10

1730 Longworth HOB

Washington, DC 20515

Ph: (202) 225-4540

Fax: (202) 225-3402

BB: (202) 731-3222

Please sign up for Rep Denham's e-newsletter at http://denham.house.gov/contact-me/newsletter and follow him on Twitter at @RepJeffDenham