Veterans
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As a member of the Army, Air Force, and National Guard Caucuses and the Women Veteran Task Force, not a day goes by that Congresswoman Trahan does not reflect on the bravery and sacrifices of our nation’s servicemembers, and the wounds — both visible and invisible — they carry with them long after they return to civilian life. She fully understands the importance of keeping these heroes and their needs at the forefront of policy decisions.
Congresswoman Trahan attending her first Veterans Advisory Council planning meeting. Honoring Our PACT Act of 2021 Congresswoman Trahan voted twice in support of the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (Honoring our PACT) Act of 2021, comprehensive legislation she cosponsored to expand and improve toxic-exposed veterans’ access to earned benefits and care. This legislation was signed into law by President Biden in August 2022.
Congresswoman Trahan meeting with members of Veterans of Foreign Wars to discuss issues that combat veterans continue to face. Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act When women in our Armed Forces complete their service, they should be able to expect that at the very least, they’ll have the same health care access they had while in the military. But for women veterans covered through the VA, access to the no-cost contraceptive care they received while they were active duty doesn’t exist. Congresswoman Trahan voted in favor of the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act to ensure that women veterans have the same no-cost contraceptive care as other women. Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act Congresswoman Trahan voted in favor of the Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act. This bill provides federal prosecutors with an additional tool to prosecute financial predators who target veterans, particularly elderly veterans and those in low-income housing, to defraud them of their Veterans Affairs benefits. Veterans Exposed to Toxic PFAS Act (VET PFAS Act) Congresswoman Trahan is a cosponsor and strong supporter of the Veterans Exposed to Toxic PFAS Act. This bill would give health and disability benefits to veterans and their families exposed to the harmful PFAS chemicals, which are commonly found on military installations both domestic and abroad. Veterans’ Access to Child Care Act Congresswoman Trahan recognizes the importance of reliable access to child care for veterans when they have VA medical appointments, which is why she voted for the Veterans’ Access to Child Care Act. This bill expands and makes permanent the popular pilot program which enables veterans’ access to child care at VA medical facilities during their appointments. The program has already provided care for more than 10,000 children of veterans Dental Care for Low-Income Veterans Act Congresswoman Trahan is a cosponsor of the Dental Care for Veterans Act. This bill phases in long overdue eligibility for veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care to receive dental care as a part of their medical benefits package. Homeless Veteran Families Act Congresswoman Trahan is passionate about making sure veterans have the resources they need and are cared for when they return from serving our nation. That is why the Congresswoman cosponsored and voted for the Homeless Veteran Families Act, which passed through the House of Representatives. This bill calls for a recalculation of per diem payments the Department of Veterans Affairs makes to homeless grant providers to include partial payment for each of a homeless veteran's minor dependents. This prevents a homeless veteran from having to choose between keeping a roof over their loved ones’ heads and keeping their family together. Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act Congresswoman Trahan is not only concerned about the wellbeing of our veterans, but that of their families’ as well. Her conversations with veterans’ families led the Congresswoman to become a cosponsor of the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act. This bill would end the so-called “widow’s tax,” a dollar-for-dollar offset of payments between the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) program. Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act Congresswoman Trahan is proud to have pushed for passage of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, which is now codified into law. Under this bill, historically-denied disability benefits are granted to U.S. Navy veterans who served offshore (“Blue Water Navy”) of the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War and were exposed to toxic Agent Orange. National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Commemorative Coin Act Congresswoman Trahan is a cosponsor of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Commemorative Coin Act, which was passed through the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill honors those awarded the Purple Heart Hall of Honor with a commemorative coin provided by the U.S. Mint. The Department of Veterans Affairs Website Accessibility Act Congresswoman Trahan is a cosponsor and voted in favor of the The Department of Veterans Affairs Website Accessibility Act, which will ensure that veterans with disabilities, including blindness, will have access to all websites published by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Improving Safety and Security for Veterans Act Congresswoman Trahan voted in favor of the Improving Safety and Security for Veterans Act, which requires the VA to submit detailed reports on patient safety and quality of care at VA Medical Centers. This ensures that Congress, veterans, and their families are fully informed on the policies and procedures in place across VA Medical Centers nationally. Wounded Veterans Recreation Act Congresswoman Trahan voted in favor of the Wounded Veterans Recreation Act, which makes all veterans with service-related disabilities eligible for free, lifetime entry to national parks and other federal lands. Additional Supported Legislation Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act To provide for the retention and service of transgender individuals in the Armed Forces Expressing opposition to banning service in the Armed Forces by openly transgender individuals* * indicates the Congresswoman is an Original Cosponsor of that legislation. |
