Sam Farr: “I rise in support of two important veterans bills being considered on the floor today. H.R. 1703, the Veterans' Affairs…”

“I rise in support of two important veterans bills being considered on the floor today. H.R. 1703, the Veterans' Affairs Employment Discrimination Prevention Act, would establish a new VA office to resolve employment discrimination claims by veterans. Too often, our Nation's veterans are the victims of discrimination in the workplace, and this legislation would help ensure that their concerns are heard and resolved. H.R. 2206, the Veterans Health Programs Improvement Act, will provide needed help to homeless veterans and veterans of the gulf war. The legislation would reauthorize a number of important Federal programs for homeless veterans, and allow the VA to operate more care facilities for veterans suffering from drug and alcohol abuse. In addition, H.R. 2206 would expand medical care eligibility for gulf war veterans, so that any veteran with gulf war illnesses could receive health care from the VA--whether or not their illness can be proven as caused by exposure to toxins. The bill also authorizes $5 million in funds for researching new forms of treatment of gulf war syndrome. I represent both veterans and veterans' families who continue to suffer from gulf war illnesses, with no end in sight. Unfortunately, many suffering veterans don't get medical care because they cannot prove the cause of their illness. This legislation will ensure medical help is available for those gulf war veterans who need it.”