Every American has a duty to respect, honor and support our veterans. Congress has the responsibility to ensure that the profound respect owed to our veterans is translated into meaningful and tangible action. For generations, Members on both sides of the aisle have sought world class medical care for wounded and ill veterans, compensation for the service connected disabled, funding for higher education and housing, and programs to rescue and re- enfranchise the homeless. And as Lincoln said so eloquently, the Federal Government should care for ``his widow and orphan.'' I am the prime sponsor of numerous veterans laws, including the Homeless Veterans Assistance Act, the Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act, Veterans Survivor Benefits Improvement Act and numerous health care laws including the Veterans Health Program Improvement Act which, among scores of provisions, made permanent the authority of the Secretary to provide sexual trauma counseling to veterans--especially women. Women who serve in our nation's Armed Forces deserve special gratitude and recognition in law. As veterans, they face unique challenges that both the Executive and Legislative Branch has and is attempting to address. In September, the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans made ten recommendations to improve the quality of care provided to women veterans--to help ensure that the services and benefits we provide keep pace with the fastest growing segment of the veterans' population.…
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First of all, let me thank Chairwoman Virginia Foxx for the extraordinary job she is doing on this important parental rights legislation, H.R. 5. I thank my friend from Virginia (Mr. Scott) for this civil debate. It has been disciplined…
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On that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XX, this 15- minute vote on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 5856, as amended, will be followed by…





