Bruce Westerman: “I thank the gentleman for yielding and for the hard work that went into preparing this NDAA. I rise today in support of…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding and for the hard work that went into preparing this NDAA. I rise today in support of one amendment in particular included in this en bloc package, which would add the bipartisan Alexander Lofgren Veterans and Parks Act or the VIP Act to the bill. The VIP Act would provide free lifetime passes to our national parks and public lands for veterans and Gold Star family members and free annual passes for active duty military members. I am a proud cosponsor of both the amendment and identical legislation which passed the House earlier this year with an amazing 420 in favor to zero against vote with over 150 bipartisan cosponsors. Senator Sinema and Senator Boozman from my home State of Arkansas are leading the bipartisan Senate companion of this legislation. In addition to its broad support here in Congress, the VIP Act has also been endorsed by over 60 organizations representing a diverse coalition of conservation, recreation, and veterans' groups. In just the past month, as we have watched the horrible situation unfolding in Afghanistan, the country has awoken again to the sacrifice and heroism displayed by our brave men and women in uniform. These men and women often return home carrying both visible and invisible wounds from their time in combat. During the Biden administration's botched evacuation of Afghanistan, the VA's crisis hotline had a 9 percent uptick in calls.…”