Rep. Peters’ Statement on President’s Further Actions to Reform VA, Improve Economic Opportunities for Servicemembers

SAN DIEGO, CA – Today, Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) released the following statement regarding the Administration’s new actions for servicemembers, veterans, and their families:

“Today’s actions will continue the process of reforming the broken VA system, and improve the quality of life for our servicemembers, veterans, and military families who have been asked to sacrifice so much,” Rep. Peters said. “This, along with recent VA reforms passed in Congress, will help engage communities in the effort to end tragic veteran suicides through improved access to, and quality of, mental health services. Keeping our promises to those current serving our country, and to the millions of veterans across the country, must continue to be a top priority for Congress.”

A summary of President Obama’s executive actions regarding the Department of Defense and the VA that he announced at the 96th American Legion convention can be seen HERE.

Since arriving in Congress, Rep. Peters has been a constant advocate for servicemembers, veterans, and the families that support them. One of his first pieces of legislation, H.R. 1714 – the Shelter Our Servicemembers (SOS) Act, is aimed at reducing the population of elderly homeless veterans. He also brought together military commanders, non-profit organizations, and veterans’ community leaders to start the Military Transition Support Project (MTSP), which will create a central portal for new veterans to access information on benefits, housing, and employment.

Last month, Rep. Peters helped pass significant reforms to the VA system that will improve both the access and quality of care for America’s veterans and begin to change the culture of complacency that has marred the VA in recent years. That legislation was recently signed into law, and Congressman Peters has called for its quick implementation. Here in San Diego, Rep. Peters has helped local veterans and their families recover more than $750,000 in benefits from the VA to which they were entitled, and he recently helped open a new VA medical clinic in Sorrento Valley.

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