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Veterans' Affairs
Our nation's veterans selflessly stood in harm's way as the guardians of our most fundamental freedoms - life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Congress has worked with our Commander-in-Chief to support the values and principles our veterans share. I will continue to proudly stand with our nation's veterans and their families by delivering for them now and in the future.
Congress has provided a record amount of funding for veteran programs, including funding for medical services and a cost of living adjustment with increases in disability compensation rates to veterans with service-connected disabilities as well as dependency and indemnity compensation rates for survivors of certain service-connected disabilities.
Because finding a job and establishing economic independence and security can be difficult for veterans and their families as they transition from active duty to civilian status, Congress passed and the President signed into law the Jobs for Veterans Act, which would reform veteran job training and placement programs through a new system of incentives and accountability measures aimed at providing more economic security.
Veterans are not the only ones who have sacrificed for our nation's freedom. The families of those who have served in America's armed forces have sacrificed as well. I have worked to pass into law the Veterans' Survivor Benefits Improvements Act that increases health care benefits for surviving spouses, extends life insurance coverage to spouses and children to help these families in their time of need and increases the amount of educational assistance for survivors and dependents, as well as the rates of veterans' basic educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill.
The Veterans Claims Assistance Act, signed into law in 2000, creates a more user-friendly VA process and helps veterans prepare their claims as they seek their rightful benefits. The Act reduced burdensome paperwork on veterans, to simplify a complex and cumbersome system.
Veterans have given selflessly to our nation and I will continue work to improve the security and overall welfare of our veterans.
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