WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) published an op-ed recognizing Veterans in Kentucky's 1st Congressional District and their unwavering dedication and service to this country. As the nation prepares for Veterans Day, Congressman Comer discusses his commitment to advocating for the men and women who fought to safeguard our freedoms.
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Read Congressman Comer’s op-ed below:
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Kentucky’s 1st Congressional District is home to many veterans from across the Armed Forces. It is an honor to represent the men and women who fought to safeguard our freedoms and serve as their voice in the U.S. House of Representatives. Advocating on their behalf is one of my most solemn duties. This Veterans Day, I want to take the time to recognize our veterans and reflect on all they have done for our country.
We can never fully repay our veterans for their sacrifices for our country. Their unwavering dedication and service to this country is a testament to their patriotism, and I am committed to ensuring they receive the benefits they deserve. I am proud to have supported the recent passage of legislation which would provide $337.4 billion to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), with $112.6 billion allocated specifically for VA medical care. This comprehensive legislation is vitally needed to support our veterans and ensure they have the resources and funding they have earned. It is essential that Congress continues to fully fund veterans’ health care programs, benefits, and other VA programs, while also ensuring that the VA provides the highest quality care possible.
As Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, I have called on federal agencies, including the VA, to rein in their regulatory overreach and improve services for our veterans. Our nation’s veterans and their families have faced inexcusable wait times for records that are necessary to receive life-saving medical care, emergency housing assistance, proper military burials, and other vital benefits earned through service to our country. I led an effort urging the National Personnel Records Center to clean up its act, quit holding veteran records hostage, and address the massive delays veterans and their families are encountering. I also supported the Access for Veterans to Records Act which would make necessary reforms to modernize the process for obtaining veterans records and requires federal workers to work in-person to eliminate the backlog.
We must uphold our solemn pledge to care for our nation’s veterans. Recently, my office has partnered with the Veteran Resource Center of Frankfort to hold office hours at VFW Post 4075 (104 East Second Street) on the first Thursday of every month from 10 A.M.-12 P.M. ET. During this time, my staff can assist veterans in-person with issues they are having with the VA or other federal agencies. My dedicated team of caseworkers work tirelessly to help our veterans navigate the bureaucracy of the federal government and obtain their hard-earned benefits. If any veterans in Kentucky’s 1st Congressional District ever need assistance with such matters, please do not hesitate to contact my district office at (270) 487-9509 or visit comer.house.gov.
Rep. James Comer is a United States Congressman for Kentucky’s 1st Congressional District and Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.