Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today regarding H.R. 3989, the Support Our Military Caregivers Act. After working with a constituent who was having trouble with the bureaucratic Military Caregiver system at the VA, I was proud to introduce this legislation last November. Military caregivers are loved ones who selflessly care for our Nation's heroes behind the scenes to enhance their everyday lives. Thankfully, the Family Caregiver Program, implemented in 2011, was designed to ensure caregivers were not forgotten. My bill would guarantee that those who dedicate their lives as caregivers receive the support they so desperately need and they so desperately deserve. My district has the largest veteran population of any district in New York State. This has provided me with a greater understanding of the selfless sacrifice our veterans and their families provide to our community and our Nation. Over the last 15 years of war, our servicemembers have served bravely and their families have sacrificed an immeasurable amount. So it is vital that we ensure they receive the best possible care available. Unfortunately, the VA has had a difficult time managing the high demand of Family Caregiver enrollees, which is much larger than originally accounted for. VA medical centers lack sufficient caregiver support coordinators and the necessary clinical staff to carry out medical assessments for eligibility.…”