WASHINGTON- In an op-ed, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) pays tribute to the resilience and dedication of America’s veterans who have selflessly defended our values and freedoms. As the nation prepares to celebrate Veterans Day, Congressman Comer underscores his unwavering commitment to advocating for the needs and benefits of our country’s veterans.

Read Congressman Comer’s op-ed below:

I am grateful to represent Kentucky’s 1st Congressional District and the many veterans that call it home. Throughout my time in Congress, I have had the opportunity to meet many of the men and women who fought to protect our country and our freedoms. It is a great honor to represent these brave veterans and I will continue to be a strong advocate for defending their benefits and responding to their needs. This Veterans Day, I want to take the time and recognize our current and retired servicemembers and reflect on all they have and continue to accomplish for our country.

In the face of adversity, our veterans have shown resilience and a sense of duty. They fought to protect the values and freedoms that we hold dear. Their unwavering dedication and service to this country is why I am committed to doing everything I can for them in Washington. Recently, I was a proud supporter of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2024 (H.R. 4366). This bill will provide $317.4 billion in funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and military construction projects and $138.2 billion for critical veteran’s programs and healthcare. This kind of comprehensive legislation is vital for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

In addition, reforming and improving the VA has always been a high priority of mine and I am proud to be a continual pioneer for legislation that not only benefits our military and defense programs, but also focuses on the needs of our veterans. It has become clear that backlogs and poor customer service at the VA and other federal agencies have created headaches and hardships for our veterans trying to access their personnel records and benefits. As Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, I have pushed the Biden Administration to abandon outdated federal telework policies to ensure the federal workforce returns to the office and addresses the significant delays and backlogs that veterans across the country are experiencing. I will continue to not only advance policies that benefit our nation’s heroes but use the power of the Oversight Committee to ensure the VA is meeting its mission.

We should never take for granted the sacrifices our servicemembers, veterans, and their families have made for this country. Every uniform represents a commitment to something greater than oneself, a dedication to safeguarding the liberties that make our country great. Although we can never fully repay them for their service, we have a responsibility to make sure our nation’s patriots receive the first class, timely care and benefits they deserve.

This Veterans Day, I want to give my thanks to all who have served this nation and remind them that my office door is always open if they need assistance. Freedom does not come free, and its defenders deserve our gratitude. Thank you to all our veterans who have selflessly served the United States, may you feel the gratitude of a nation that holds you in the highest esteem. God bless America and our brave military veterans.

Rep. James Comer is a United States Congressman for Kentucky’s 1st Congressional District and Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.