Julia Brownley: “I thank the chairman for bringing my bill, the Deborah Sampson Act, to the floor. And I thank the ranking member for his…”

“I thank the chairman for bringing my bill, the Deborah Sampson Act, to the floor. And I thank the ranking member for his support as well. In 1782, Deborah Sampson disguised herself as a man so she could serve in the Revolutionary War to protect and defend our democracy. She was wounded in that war. Her forehead had a gash from a sword, and she was shot in the leg. But serving as a man made her invisible. Too many decades later, Congress finally granted her petitions for the benefits she deserved, and she became one of the first American women recognized for her military service. Women have served on land, air, and sea in every conflict in our Nation's history, yet their remarkable and brave service is often overlooked. Through my work as chair of the Women Veterans Task Force, I have met with countless women veterans across the country who, like Deborah Sampson, feel invisible. Their service often goes unnoticed, while veteran men around them are always thanked. Sadly, women veterans are often harassed when they go to the VA for help. This denies them the equitable access to the benefits and care they have earned and deserve. On a recent visit to VA's only women-centric residential substance abuse rehabilitation program, an Army veteran told me the program saved her life. When women-focused resources exist, women veterans use them, and they thrive. That is why this bill is vital for America's 2 million women veterans.…”