Dear friend,

As we celebrate Veterans Day today, I want to take a moment to recognize our Southwest Washington veterans who put on the uniform, laid their lives on the line, and fought to defend our rights and freedoms that we hold so dear.

For your service and sacrifice to our nation, I humbly say — thank you!

Earlier this year, I was honored to meet and sit down with members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. We discussed the importance of legislation to help reform the VA, and a host of other issues important to our Southwest Washington veterans. I'm going to continue listening and partnering with our veterans to enact meaningful change in Congress to assist our veterans and their families, such as:

— Securing funding in the COVID-relief bill, the CARES Act, which included $17.2 billion for the Veterans Health Administration to increase telehealth services, hire additional staff, and to purchase more beds, ventilators, and personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure the safety of medical personnel and veterans. 

— Helping lead legislation to ensure veterans receive the military pensions they've earned, as well as VA disability compensation. 

— Cosponsoring legislation to help evaluate and track the exposure of U.S. servicemembers and veterans to open burn bits and toxic airborne chemicals, which will ensure they receive the treatment and care they need. 

— Helping pass legislation – (PAWS) for Veterans Therapy Act – to give veterans access to treatment derived from working with service dogs, and upon completion of the program, the veterans may adopt their dogs to provide continuing therapy. 

As Southwest Washington's Member of Congress, a large portion of my job is cutting through red tape and helping folks who encounter issues with federal agencies – like the VA. My office has been able to help individuals receive military ID cards, clear up issues that stand in the way of receiving VA medical treatment, and help claim benefits they've earned and deserve. 

So far in 2020, we've helped more than 430 individual veterans, and saved or returned over $389,000.00 in casework for our veterans. 

If you're a veteran, or you know of a veteran, living in Southwest Washington and is having trouble with the VA – I would like to help. While we can't guarantee an outcome, we will do our best to assist you. Please give my office a call at (360) 695-6292 or send me a direct message here. 

It's an honor to serve you in Congress. If you have a comment, question, or an idea for me, please send me a direct message here. As always, please let me know how I can assist you.