Posts Tagged ‘Gerry Connolly’
House GOP Turned Its Back on Veterans
Congressman Gerry Connolly said he is outraged that the House Republican budget cuts passed at 5 am Saturday morning includes the termination of a small but critical program that addresses the urgent nature of homelessness among America’s veterans. Connolly joined other House Democrats and several Republican Congressmen in voting against the House GOP’s Continuing Resolution that makes massive cuts in funding for the federal government until September 30, 2011.
“By approving the elimination of this federal funding to help homeless vets secure housing and other critical services, the House GOP leadership has turned their backs on brave men and women who put their lives on the line to defend our country and now need and deserve our help,” Connolly said.
The Virginia Congressman said the elimination of a $75 million program that offers housing vouchers to homeless veterans in the U.S. “is one of the most egregious examples of an array of unconscionable proposals” that also include the zeroing out of federal funding for Washington’s Metro safety and capital improvements, and many other deep cuts in important federal programs.
The homeless veterans program is a cooperative effort between the Veterans Affairs Department (VA) and the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) that has been effective in providing a small element of stability in the lives of the military veterans – a population that has experienced a spike in homelessness in recent years.
According to a government report in 2009, at least 75,000 veterans were homeless on a single January night and a total of 136,334 veterans spent at least one night in an emergency shelter or transitional housing. An estimated 57 percent of homeless veterans were staying in emergency shelters and the remainder were living on the streets or in abandoned buildings. Included in this population are a substantial number of younger veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars – many battling drug and PTSD issues.
The VA has been charged by President Obama to reach the goal of ending homelessness among veterans in five years, and this one program—HUD/VA Supportive Housing – offered housing vouchers for more than 10,000 veterans across the nation in the past year and another 20,000 since 2008. HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan indicated to Congress last year that a total of at least 60,000 vouchers would be required to respond to the urgent need.
“The fact that this absolutely critical program was placed on a list of expenditures to be terminated in the Republican budget is indicative of how thoughtless and insensitive the process became after the most conservative members of the Republican caucus demanded further cuts in a budget that would already have caused tremendous harm and dislocation throughout the country,” Connolly said.
“As long as there are veterans sleeping in shelters, cars, under bridges and on the streets, we have an obligation to continue this voucher program,” he said.
Connolly said he expects the Senate will act responsibly and produce a short-term budget plan that reinstates the homeless veterans funding and other critical funding.
Source: connolly.house.gov
House Passes Bill to Repeal Military Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy
Congressman Gerry Connolly joined a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday in voting for legislation to repeal the military Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy that has resulted in the discharge of more than 13,000 service men and women because of their sexual orientation.
The Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010 (H.R. 2965) passed the House by a vote of 250-175. The bill most still be considered by the Senate. Congressman Connolly’s statement on the legislation follows:
Statement of Congressman Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11th)
Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Repeal Act (H.R. 2965)
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Madam/Mister Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2965: The Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010.
The House of Representatives voted on May 28, 2010 to repeal this policy. I was proud to vote for the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.
Our nation’s military leaders and many, if not a majority, of our servicemembers support repealing DADT. Both Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen—Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff—have testified in support of repeal as “the right thing to do.” Our servicemembers already serve side by side with our allies—many of whom allow openly gay and lesbian members. A servicemember is just that—a servicemember. To distinguish heterosexual from homosexual is unnecessary.
The United States needs all the dedicated servicemembers it can get, and one’s sexuality does not determine one’s effectiveness as a soldier. Don’t Ask Don’t Tell hurts military readiness and national security. Nearly 800 specialists with vital skills – Arabic linguists, for example – have been fired from the U.S. military under DADT. Since implementation of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in 1993, the military has discharged more than 13,000 service members whose only “fault” was their sexual orientation.
It is estimated that American taxpayers have paid between $250 million and $1.2 billion to investigate, eliminate, and replace qualified, patriotic service members who want to serve their country but can’t because expressing their sexual orientation violates DADT.
Mr. Speaker, the time to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell has long passed. I urge my colleagues to vote yes. Thank you, I yield back.
VFW PAC Endorses Connolly for Re-election
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Political Action Committee has endorsed Congressman Gerry Connolly for re-election, citing Connolly’s strong support for “veterans, national security and defense, and military personnel issues.”
VFW PAC, representing 2.2 million VFW members, auxiliaries, and military families, is the only political action committee among the nation’s major veterans service organizations. The organization is dedicated to the support of candidates who have taken responsible positions on issues involving national defense and legislation pertaining to our nation’s veterans.
“I’m proud of my record of support in Congress for our nation’s veterans, active duty personnel, and military families,” Connolly said. “I am equally proud that this distinguished veterans’ organization has chosen to endorse my re-election.”
In Congress, Gerry Connolly has fought for veterans and active duty military personnel on multiple fronts. He voted to protect and strengthen TRICARE, championed better body armor for our troops, supported a pay raise for combat troops, and co-sponsored legislation to fully fund the Department of Veterans Affairs one year in advance, so that VA hospitals and other veterans benefits and services will not be subject to the whim of partisan fights in Congress.
Connolly also introduced and won passage of the Helping Active Duty Deployed Act to protect service members from unfair fees and penalties on cell phone services, housing leases, and similar contracts when they are deployed to combat zones and other duty stations. Connolly is also a leader in the fight to ensure that veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and other conflicts dating back to the Vietnam War are eligible to receive treatment and services for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, a major issue for many returning service members.
“We have a sacred bond to our brave men and women in uniform that must not be broken,” said Connolly. “With the support of VFW PAC and tens of thousands of veterans in the 11th District, I look forward to continuing to fight for the men and women service members and their families who have sacrificed so much on our behalf.”
Deadline Nears For Military & Vets To Seek Stop Loss Pay
Current service members and veterans whose tours of duty were involuntarily extended in Iraq and Afghanistan have until October 21 to apply for retroactive pay, Congressman Gerry Connolly said today.
Service members are eligible for retroactive pay of $500 a month for each month their service was extended. Connolly said Defense Department statistics show that only 58,000 claims have been paid out of an estimated 145,400 service members and veterans who are eligible to receive the stop loss pay.
“The men and women of the military have served our nation with bravery and honor in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Connolly said. “All of them, and their families, have made tremendous sacrifices on our behalf, and those who were required to serve in combat longer than anticipated deserve fair and just compensation.”
Connolly said Congress passed legislation in 2009 to compensate service members for tours of duty that were involuntarily extended in Iraq and Afghanistan. “With the deadline fast approaching, I urge all eligible service members to submit their claims so that they can receive the retroactive pay they have earned, he said.”
In 2009, Connolly voted to pass HR 2346, the War Supplemental Appropriations Act which established retroactive stop loss special pay (RSLSP). The establishment of RSLSP allows service members and veterans whose service was involuntarily extended between September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009 to file claims in order to receive retroactive pay if eligible. The deadline for submissions is October 21, 2010 and the average payment is $3,800.
For more information or to submit a claim please visit www.defense.gov/stoploss or contact Congressman Connolly’s District Office at 703-256-3071 for further assistance.
Connolly to Participate Thursday in Governor’s Commission on Defense Cuts
Congressman also Announces Congressional Hearing to be Held on Cuts on September 29
Congressman Gerry Connolly will participate in the first meeting of Governor McDonnell’s Commission on Military and National Security Facilities on Thursday in Richmond. The commission will discuss Defense Secretary Robert Gates proposed cuts in defense contracting in Northern Virginia and the closure of the Joint Forces Command in Hampton Roads.
Connolly also said the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Management, Organization, and Procurement will hold a Capitol Hill hearing on the cuts on September 29. Connolly, a member of the committee, requested the Congressional hearing.
Connolly has praised Gates’ goal to cut defense spending, but he also has questioned the rationale and analysis behind the Defense Secretary’s plan to arbitrarily cut defense contracting by 10 percent a year for three years.
“Arbitrary across-the-board cuts generally don’t produce the desired result and are not a strategic means of achieving savings,” Connolly said, noting that previous efforts to reduce reliance on contractors did not achieve the savings hoped for by the Pentagon.
Connolly also said that smaller contractors, particularly companies owned by minorities, women, and disabled veterans, will probably bear the brunt of the cuts. “Large contractors have the resources to weather such cuts, but for many small companies, the loss of a contract can push them right out of business,” he said.
Connolly is also concerned about the ramifications of such arbitrary cuts. “Besides the obvious impact on the economy and workforce in Northern Virginia and other regions with a high concentration of federal contractors, there are some serious concerns about whether these arbitrary reductions in contracting and the shutdown of JFCOM will hurt the Pentagon’s national security interests,” he said. “There are no promises that the expertise lost when contracts are cut will automatically flow into the federal workforce.”
Connolly To Present Vietnam War Vet With Medals 39 Years After His Heroism
Congressman Gerry Connolly will present the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Silver Star to Vietnam veteran Ronald Markiewicz of Woodbridge 39 years after the Army lieutenant and helicopter pilot risked his own life, while wounded, in two separate combat incidents to rescue downed helicopter crews and wounded Marines.
Connolly will present former Army First Lieutenant Ronald E. Markiewicz of Woodbridge with the two prestigious medals for gallantry in action and extraordinary achievement – authorized by the President of the United States – at a ceremony in Connolly’s Annandale office on Monday, July 19, at 2 pm. Markiewicz will be accompanied by family members at the ceremony in Connolly’s office.
Markiewicz was a first lieutenant in the Army’s 71st Aviation Company, 14th Aviation Battalion, 23rd Infantry Division.
“It is truly an honor for me to have the opportunity to present this Vietnam War hero with well-deserved and long-overdue recognition of his gallantry in action and devotion to duty,” Connolly said. “Too often, we have overlooked the heroism, contributions, and sacrifices made by the men and women who serviced our country during the Vietnam War.”
WHAT: Distinguished Flying Cross and Silver Star Presentation Ceremony for Vietnam Veteran Ronald E. Markiewicz, 39 years after his heroic acts
WHEN: Monday, July 19, 2pm
WHERE: Rep. Connolly’s Congressional District Office
4115 Annandale Rd, Suite 103, Annandale, VA 22003
Complete descriptions of the heroic acts of March 21 and March 24, 1971 in Vietnam and Laos that earned Markiewicz these prestigious military awards follow:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 9 July 1918 (amended by act of 25 July 1963), has awarded the SILVER STAR to
FIRST LIEUTENANT RONALD E. MARKIEWICZ
71ST AVIATION COMPANY, 14TH AVIATION BATTALION, 23D INFANTRY DIVISION
For Gallantry: in action on 21 March 1971, while serving as a UH-1 Pilot, 71st Aviation Company, 14th Aviation Battalion, 23d Infantry Division, in support of combat operations in Vietnam. On this date, First Lieutenant Markiewicz participated in a valiant attempt to resupply Vietnamese Marines in Laos that were under siege by the North Vietnamese Army. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire from several positions, he completed his landing approach, successfully offloading ammunition in exchange for four wounded Vietnamese Marines. During the takeoff, heavy machine gun fire ripped through the aircraft, piercing the fuel cells. Ignoring the enemy fire, First Lieutenant Markiewicz navigated the burning aircraft to a location below the landing zone to facilitate a safe rescue effort. Despite his own wounds and under machine gun fire, he carried a wounded Vietnamese Marine while directing his men to the rescue helicopter for evacuation. First Lieutenant Markiewicz’ gallantry in action and devotion to duty are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 2 July 1926, has awarded the DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS to
FIRST LIEUTENANT RONALD E. MARKIEWICZ
71ST AVIATION COMPANY, 14TH AVIATION BATTALION, 23D INFANTRY DIVISION
For EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENT: during aerial flight on 24 March 1971, while serving as a UH-1 Pilot, 71st Aviation Company, 14th Aviation Battalion, 23d Infantry Division, in support of combat operations in Vietnam. On this date, First Lieutenant Markiewicz attempted to extract downed helicopter crews from the border area between North and South Vietnam and Laos. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire from several positions, he began his rescue attempt by skillfully avoiding a deadly hail of gunfire. As the UH-1 approached the ground, heavy machine gun fire tore through the aircraft. Impacting enemy rounds riddled the cockpit, causing shards of metal and plexiglass to cut him in multiple places. Ignoring his wounds, First Lieutenant Markiewicz successfully landed the aircraft, enabling troops to recover the downed crews. Upon completion of the sortie, he obtained a replacement aircraft and continued with the mission. First Lieutenant Markiewicz’ devotion to duty is in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Connolly Cites Important Victory in PTSD Treatment For Veterans
Congressman Gerry Connolly said a major change on how the Department of Veterans Affairs handles individual cases of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among combat veterans will benefit those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan as well as older veterans dating back to the Vietnam War.
Connolly hailed the announcement by Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki that the VA will adopt a rule granting presumption of service connection to any veteran who served in a combat zone and has been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Connolly has been pushing for better treatment of PTSD among veterans since early 2009 when he co-sponsored the COMBAT PTSD Act (H.R. 952). The legislation would create a presumption of service connected disability for veterans diagnosed with PTSD.
“I applaud the decision by the VA to adopt the intent of this legislation as VA policy,” Connolly said. “Today’s news is long overdue for veterans, who have experienced PTSD, and their families. It is our duty to care for all who have answered the call to defend our nation, including those with wounds that may not leave physical scars, but are debilitating, nonetheless.”
Currently, less than half of the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans diagnosed with PTSD are receiving benefits from the VA. The rule change will also have a dramatic impact on many older Vietnam-era veterans, who are often diagnosed many years after their traumatic incident, which makes the service-related connection very difficult to establish.
Before this change in VA regulations, veterans who applied for disability benefits related to PTSD had to demonstrate to the VA that their illness was service related, essentially denying benefits to thousands of veterans unable to document their claims after their discharge from service. The new rule will make it easier for all veterans suffering from PTSD to receive VA health care and disability compensation, and many Vietnam veterans who were denied PTSD benefits in the past may now be eligible.
In a statement issued today, Thomas J. Tradewell Sr., the national commander of the 2.1 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and its Auxiliaries, called the VA secretary’s decision to ease PTSD claims requirements a sea-change in the mindset of the VA.
Tradewell, a combat-wounded veteran, said it follows numerous other decisions that increased the list of presumptions for diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure; increased services and programs for women veterans, veterans who reside in rural areas as well as the homeless; and reduced the size of the claims form from 23 to 10 pages. Tradewell said even the VA’s outreach to patients possibly exposed to improperly sterilized equipment at a small number of its hospitals reflects the department’s proactive, veterans-first attitude.
“The VA is acknowledging that mental injuries can be just as debilitating as any physical wound, and to no longer require veterans to relive their nightmares in great detail is a very positive step forward for veterans of all generations,” Tradewell said.
Connolly Supports Provision to Protect Medicare and TRICARE Recipients
Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) voted in the U.S. House of Representatives Thursday evening to pass legislation retroactively reversing the 21 percent cut in Medicare and TRICARE payments to doctors and preserving access to quality health care for seniors and TRICARE families.
This marks the third time in seven months that Connolly has voted for the so-called “doc fix” to reverse the automatic cuts in doctor payments. The first two House-passed bills died in the Senate, including legislation that would have permanently eliminated the threat of cuts in Medicare and TRICARE reimbursement rates.
The Senate bill passed by the House is effective through November 30, 2010 and also includes a 2.2 percent increase in doctor payments. The legislation is fully paid for and does not add to the federal deficit. The bill passed the House 417-1 and now goes to the President for his signature.
“I supported this short-term ‘doc fix’ for Medicare and TRICARE because it was the only option we could get from the Senate at this time, but I am going to continue to fight to permanently end this problem,” Connolly said. “We must provide peace of mind to our seniors, veterans and their families, and guarantee they have access to the care they need.”
Congressman Connolly Receives National “Friend of Our Military Kids” Award
One of Five Congressmen to Receive Award for Helping ‘Our Smallest Heroes” in VA and US
Congressman Gerry Connolly of Virginia was honored this week for his efforts to provide tangible support to children of National Guard and Reserve personnel deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan and the sons and daughters of all severely-injured service members.
Connolly received the “Friend of Our Military Kids” award at an event recognizing April as the Month of the Military Child. The award was presented by Our Military Kids, an organization recognizing military children as our “smallest heroes” and dedicated to supporting children and families through grants for enrichment activities and tutoring while a parent is serving overseas.
Connolly was recognized for his work to help secure federal funding for the Our Military Kids program, which has provided more than $3 million in grants to military families in Virginia and across the nation.
“Too often we forget about the sacrifices and stresses our military spouses and children face when a loved one is deployed to a war zone,” Congressman Connolly said. “I am proud to be part of an effort to provide support to these military families during these very difficult times.”
Connolly was one of only five members of Congress to receive the awards this week at a Capitol Hill ceremony which featured Virginia First Lady Maureen McDonnell, General Craig McKinley, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, and other distinguished guests. Also honored with Connolly were Congressman Jim Moran of Virginia, Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island, Solomon Ortiz of Texas, and Mary Jo Kilroy of Ohio.
Our Military Kids began in 2005 as part of a pilot program with the Virginia National Guard. Since 2006, Our Military Kids has awarded more than 600 grants to military families in Virginia. In 2009, over $3 million in awards were distributed by Our Military Kids to families across America.
See further details on Our Military Kids.
Gerry Connolly Sends A Veterans Newsletter
One of my first acts as your Congressman was to travel to Iraq and Afghanistan to meet with our troops. I’m inspired by their courage and dedication to securing peace and protecting our national security. We all need to be mindful of the tremendous sacrifices made by our military families, many of whom will be spending the holiday season separated from loved ones serving abroad.
In Congress, we have been able to achieve bipartisan agreement on vital issues affecting benefits for military personnel, their families and our veterans. Those who have fought to defend our freedom deserve the best health care and counseling services. As a nation, we owe military families the support they need, and returning troops the educational opportunities that will lead to career success when they leave the service.
I will continue to work with members of both parties and the Administration to meet our commitments to those who serve America in uniform.
Gerry Connolly
See the entire newsletter here.