At North Bay Stand Down in Dixon, Congressman Garamendi Vows to Continue Supporting Veterans
DIXON, CA - Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA), a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, visited with veterans and veteran support organizations at the North Bay Stand Down for lower income and homeless veterans in Dixon. Garamendi’s veteran casework staff were also on hand to help veterans who are having ongoing issues with the Veterans Administration and other federal agencies. On Saturday, Congressman Garamendi shared the concerns of veterans in his district in an hour long one-on-one meeting with the new VA Secretary Bob McDonald. The meeting ended with a shared commitment to continue working together.
At the Stand Down, Garamendi spoke about legislation he supports to expand job opportunities for veterans, including tax cuts for employers to hire veterans. Garamendi also spoke about votes he’s made to reduce the homeless veteran population through expanded services available to provide emergency housing and to improve substance abuse and mental health treatment, including treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“Our responsibility to veterans doesn’t end when war ends. From employment to health care to housing, when we take Americans away from their homes and into harm’s way, we must do everything we can to get them back on their feet when they return home,” said Congressman Garamendi, the son of a World War II Major. “I’ve been proud to support a substantial overhaul of Veterans Administration to provide better access to clinics throughout this district and to provide flexibility to veterans in our more rural corners. My office leaves no veteran behind.”
Congressman Garamendi recently voted for a major overhaul of the VA system. That reform includes $10 billion for a newly established program to immediately address the VA wait-time crisis by allowing veterans who have waited at least 30 days for an appointment with the VA or who live more than 40 miles from a VA facility to seek care from a non-VA source (such as a private physician, community health center, Department of Defense health care facility or Indian Health Center). It also includes $5 billion to hire more primary and specialty care physicians and other medical staff at the VA.
Congressman Garamendi has prioritized support for veterans in the 3rd District. This year alone, his office has secured more than $3.5 million in earned benefits for veterans facing unacceptable bureaucratic delays. Garamendi recently hired Travis Air Force Base’s retired Chief Master Sergeant, John Evalle, to add an experienced and dedicated voice to the Congressman’s veteran support team.