Providing opportunity for veterans

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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