Serving Those Who Serve Us

Statement

We are failing the approximate 21-22 million American veterans. The VA is a red tape nightmare and needs immediate reform. Some of our veterans are returning from their service overseas only to find they are unable to secure good paying jobs. Our veterans are facing serious and pervasive issues that don't have easy answers.

But unlike career politicians in DC who have promised reform for decades with nothing to show for it, Governor Hogan and I decided to roll up our sleeves and get to work. That's why we held a roundtable with a group of Maryland veterans to hear directly from them the problems our veterans are facing and to get their suggestions on what we can do to serve them better.

The governor and I were joined by representatives of each of the branches of the Armed Forces with service records stretching from World War II to the present. At the meeting, each veteran was able to tell their story -- and let us know what works and what doesn't. They had several great suggestions, including some I plan to pursue when I'm elected to the Senate. For example, for a veteran to receive the benefits they have earned they need to have what's known as a form DD-214. The problem arises when the family member of a veteran needs the form. Imagine if you're family member needed health care but you couldn't help them because you did not have their DD-214 form. And even worse, you couldn't get the form because you were not the veteran. This is a problem our veterans and their families are facing daily, and it must be resolved.

Career politicians in Washington have become too overwhelmed by the situation at the VA to get anything accomplished. But our veterans deserve more than lip service and empty promises. They deserve action. One of my top priorities when I am elected to the Senate is to serve on the Veterans Affairs Committee. As the daughter and granddaughter of a veteran, honoring the promises we have made our veterans is more than just a moral obligation to me -- it's personal. These brave men and women have sacrificed so much to keep our country safe -- it is the least we can do.

I would like to thank Governor Hogan and all of the veterans who joined us at what I hope will be the first of many of these veteran roundtables. We can't make the common-sense and positive reforms our veterans need if we only listen to career politicians and DC insiders. We need to listen to the veterans themselves and find out how we can better serve those who served us so bravely.

I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work to accomplish these things once I'm in the Senate.

Source