Feenstra

Every year, we pause on November 11th to honor America’s heroes – our veterans. Our nation is stronger, more secure, and more prosperous because of the sacrifice of millions of men and women who selflessly answered the call to serve. Our veterans are extraordinary Americans who deserve our appreciation and gratitude not only on Veterans Day, but all 365 days of the year. We cannot truly thank these heroes enough for all that they have done to protect our freedoms, defend our values, and ensure that our nation remains free.

While our veterans have made incredible contributions to our nation, they never seek recognition or praise for their service to our country. They are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, neighbors, and loved ones living quietly among us and going about their daily lives. In my mind, that is the true definition of selflessness, patriotism, and devotion to a cause greater than any one person.

As a grateful nation, it is absolutely critical that we provide the best healthcare, benefits, and services that our veterans have earned and deserve. This Congress, I have voted to give our veterans the best that our country can offer. I supported the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promises to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act to ensure that veterans who were exposed to toxic hazards – like burn pits, radiation, and Agent Orange – and later developed illnesses like cancer receive the high-quality care and treatment that they need. I also voted for the Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act – which is now law – to expand veteran healthcare in rural communities by creating three new centers of the Rural Access Network for Growth Enhancement (RANGE) program in rural areas that need more resources to support veteran mental health services. Furthermore, I supported legislation to help find shelter for homeless veterans, couple VA benefits to the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, ensure that veterans defrauded by a phony educational institution can recover their full GI benefits, and fully fund veterans’ benefits through the FY 2025 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill. Additionally, I voted for the Veteran Fraud Reimbursement Act to help veterans who are victims of financial crimes and other fraudulent schemes recover their stolen benefits, and I helped introduce legislation to allow veterans who suffered injuries either during or after their service to contribute to health savings accounts tax-free to make healthcare and routine checkups more affordable.

As of this year, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that the United States is home to nearly 19 million veterans. It is our responsibility to ensure that each and every one of them is taken care of and supported. I firmly believe that the character of any nation can be judged on how they treat their veterans, and I will always work to ensure that America’s veterans are treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve. As a proud and grateful American, I will continue to work to ensure that our incredible veterans receive the high-quality healthcare and benefits that they have earned and deserve. It is a promise that we must uphold.

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Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, represents Iowa’s Fourth District in the U.S. House.