Jimmy Panetta: “I thank the chairman and ranking member. I appreciate this opportunity to talk about something that both of these…”

“I thank the chairman and ranking member. I appreciate this opportunity to talk about something that both of these gentlemen have discussed and support. I appreciate that, so I thank the gentlemen very much. Madam Speaker, today, I rise in support as well of H.R. 3749, the Legal Services for Homeless Veterans Act. This is a bill that directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide grants to organizations that provide legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness. The grant funds will be used to provide legal services related to housing, such as legal services related to family law; legal services related to income support; legal services related to criminal defense, including defense in matters symptomatic of homelessness; and legal services related to requests to upgrade discharge characterizations. The legislation also authorizes appropriations of at least $20 million for additional aid to women veterans experiencing housing instability and homelessness. As you heard from the chairman, women are the fastest growing group not just of homeless veterans but in the military and in our veterans' communities. And, as you heard, they are more likely to be single parents.…”