Providing opportunity for veterans
Sen. Deb Fischer
By U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer
R-Nebraska
In October 1988, the Cold War was still simmering. World War II was just a generation ago, fresh in many veterans’ minds and in the hearts of families who lost their parents and grandparents in the conflict. More recently, many Americans had fought in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and many returned home in need of health care and in search of employment.
October 1988 was the month President Ronald Reagan signed the Department of Veterans Affairs Act, which transformed the independent Veterans Administration agency into a Cabinet-level Department of Veterans Affairs. Congress recognized the government’s sacred obligation to care for America’s veterans by passing the bill, and President Reagan did the same when he signed it.
“I’ve said before that America’s debt to those who would fight for her defense doesn’t end the day the uniform comes off. For the security of our nation, it must not end,” President Reagan said before signing the bill.
Thirty-six years later, this truth has not changed. Our debt never ends to those who sacrifice to defend our nation.
Veterans represent almost 10 percent of Nebraska’s population. They impact our state through the businesses they own, the jobs they work, and the hours they volunteer in our communities.
As I travel across the state, I have the privilege of hearing from many of our veterans. Recently, I joined in cutting the ribbon on the new Sarpy County VA clinic. I got to meet several of the veterans who are served at the clinic and who also created beautiful artwork for the hallways and rooms of the new facility.
I consider myself duty-bound to advocate for vets in the Senate and live out President Reagan’s ethos of paying the debt we owe them.
Last year, I cosponsored the Major Richard Star Act to extend full disability and retirement benefits to combat-injured veterans, even if they served in our military for less than 20 years. Earlier this year, I introduced the Veterans Assistance Helpline Act to maintain a helpline for veterans who need assistance from the VA. And just this month, I introduced legislation to expand the VA’s External Provider Scheduling (EPS) Program for scheduling community care appointments.
This week, one of my bills supporting vets passed the House and was sent to the president to be signed into law: the Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act. I introduced this bill last year to expand veterans’ training opportunities in the trucking industry – benefiting vets in search of employment, the trucking industry itself, and the economy.
Existing laws prevent new trucking school facilities from accepting GI Bill benefits for two years after opening – including new facilities opened by schools that are already established. My legislation will allow new facilities to accept GI Bill benefits if they meet certain conditions. Ultimately, it will make it easier for veterans to get their commercial driver’s licenses and earn a good living. More accessible career training programs and job opportunities will allow our vets to thrive.
That day in 1988, when he signed the Department of Veterans Affairs Act, President Reagan concluded his speech: “Every time a man or woman enlists in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard, he or she is ready to lay down his or her life for our nation. We must be ready to show that America appreciates what that means.”
I couldn’t agree more. The Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act is one example of a solution that grows from our commitment to supporting our veterans. I look forward to offering many more of these solutions in the future.
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Comment
Major Richard Star Act Failed to be Passed this Year
In reading this after finding it by looking up Major Richard Star Act articles that have recently been published, and having been actively pressing lawmakers through articles, I have to call out this lawmaker as well. She, as well as the other 70-plus members of the Senate and the 326 members in the House, have no right to go on record speaking about how they cosponsor a bill as if they are doing something to rectify the injustice combat-wounded veterans face by having their retirement waived so that they can collect their disability from the VA. The bill has overwhelming support and lawmakers have kicked the can on passing this bill for YEARS. Some of the very people who are cosponsors voted down including it in the 2025 NDAA. It has not been taken to the floor for a vote. It sits on the Union Calendar because it would cost $10B a year to pay combat-retired pay for the next 10 years. Now excuse me for being commonsensical, but it seems like that is a fair price to pay for those who were retired because of combat in defending our country. Congress wasted more than that by far in a needless war, and yet they scoff at the price of paying those who came back physically and mentally impaired because they fought the wars they were sent to fight without question. Now, lawmakers shamelessly ignore the needs of those veterans. Listen here, Deb. You don't get a pass here. Pass the law by actually supporting it or don't say you cosponsored it to look popular to voters. Because combat-wounded folks like me will point out that you don't truly support us, but instead want to look like you do so you can keep your position. Not on my watch.
Major Richard Star Act Would Right an Injustice to Veterans
The number of Senators and Members of Congress who proudly boast that they supported or co-sponsored the Major Richard Star Act is impressive - a testament to their patriotism. What baffles me, however, is that, with all this support and all of these co-sponsors, the Major Richard Star Act just can't seem to overcome procedural hurdles and hijinks to kill it at the committee level. The Act has been presented to Congress no less than THREE TIMES! Each time, it gets defeated, not on the floor by vote, but by a more insidious and, some may say, gutless, procedural sleight-of-hand.
No one in Congress wants to go On the Record voting against this remedy to a long-standing injustice to combat disabled veterans and their families and none, apparently, are willing to call out the malefactors who have three times now, swept this Act under the rug without the benefit of a vote on the floor.