Political Quotes

“Mr. President, today, as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I am pleased to introduce the Homeless Veterans Assistance Improvement Act of 2012. No one who has made sacrifices to serve our Nation should ever be homeless, and this problem should never be ignored. The bill I am introducing today would allow the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, to continue the important work of ending veteran homelessness. The administration reported that on any given night in January 2011, an estimated 67,500 veterans were homeless. I want to commend the VA for its efforts to reduce the number of veterans sleeping in the streets. Between 2010 and 2011 the number of homeless veterans decreased by 12 percent, but the number of homeless women veterans has continued to increase. We are making great progress, in large part due to interagency collaborations, but there is still more work to be done. In light of recent reports from VA's Office of Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office, VA must do more to make its homeless veterans programs more welcoming to women and veterans with families. The reports highlighted limitations in available housing options for women veterans with children. Additionally, infrastructure needs such as private and secure rooms and showering facilities are often lacking placing women veterans in uncomfortable and potentially unsafe situations. We can and should do better.…”