Congressman Taylor applauds Senate introduction of the Veterans First Act of 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Dave Taylor (OH-02) applauds the Senate introduction of the Veterans First Act of 2025 by Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT). The Veterans First Act of 2025 will redirect taxpayer dollars intended to be sent overseas by USAID and put them toward critical repairs at State Veterans Homes across the United States.
“Under the Biden-Harris Administration, taxpayer dollars were wastefully sent overseas to fund DEI initiatives while the pressing needs of veterans here at home were ignored,” said Congressman Taylor. “Under President Trump, Republicans are getting our Nation's priorities straight and our Heroes are at the top of the list. I am proud to lead this bill to ensure State Veterans Homes across our country are equipped with the funding and facilities to meet our veterans’ needs.”
“Let’s be honest, USAID was largely being used as a Democrat slush fund under Joe Biden,” said Senator Tuberville. “We don’t need to waste BILLIONS of taxpayer dollars on research in Wuhan or transgender operas in Colombia when our own veterans are living in horrible conditions. There are more than 160 state veteran homes across the country that provide long-term care to eligible military veterans. The VA currently offers construction grants that cover up to 65% of renovation costs, but funding constraints can cause years of delays for homes that are waiting to receive federal funds to match the funds approved at the state level. This critical legislation would provide sufficient federal funding to cover all outstanding Priority 1 VA State Home Construction projects that already have the state-matching funds. Our veteran heroes were willing to lay down their lives for our freedom. The least we can do is make sure they have a decent place to call home.”
“Our bill takes $2 billion that was going to be thrown into the USAID money pit and distributed to radical progressive causes across the globe, and instead puts it toward desperately needed housing and hospitals for the men and women who defend America," said Senator Lee. "We should put our veterans before any foreign interests or organizations."
The full bill text of the Senate version of the Veterans First Act of 2025 is available here: https://taylor.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/taylor.house.gov/files/evo-…
Background:
Congressman Taylor introduced the Veterans First Act of 2025 on March 11, 2025 and was joined by Rep. Wesley Hunt (TX-38), Rep. Nick LaLota (NY-01), Rep. Tony Wied (WI-08), Rep. Bob Onder (MO-03), and Rep. Pat Harrigan (NC-10).
While the U.S. sent tens of billions of dollars overseas under the Biden-Harris Administration, including $1.5 million to advance DEI in Serbia, $2.5 million for electric vehicles in Vietnam, and $47,000 for a transgender opera in Colombia, American veterans were left with State Veterans Homes in need of bed replacements, roof replacements, and nurse call system renovations.
Specifically, this bill would:
• Redirect $2 billion of USAID funds toward State Veteran Home repairs and renovations.
• Provide sufficient funding to cover all outstanding Priority 1 VA State Home Construction grants. These are ready-to-go projects that already possess state-matching funds and are only awaiting federal matching funds to begin work.
• Put America’s veterans first and reorient our Nation’s spending priorities toward where they belong.
Congressman David Taylor represents Ohio’s Second Congressional District which includes Clermont, Clinton, Pike, Adams, Brown, Highland, Ross, Scioto, Pickaway, Hocking, Vinton, Jackson, Lawrence, Gallia, and Meigs counties, as well as part of Fayette County. Taylor serves on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the House Agriculture Committee. Prior to serving in Congress, Taylor worked as an assistant prosecutor for Clermont County before joining his family’s concrete business, where he ultimately served as President. Please visit taylor.house.gov for more information.