Golden celebrates passage of Take Care of America’s Veterans Act

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) celebrated passage of the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, legislation that strengthens veterans benefits and VA healthcare. The bill passed the House with bipartisan support in a voice vote. 

“In return for their dedication and sacrifice, the country promises to take care of its veterans and their families. Policymakers must take pains to ensure we are upholding that promise,” Golden said. “This bill has many provisions, but the highlights are critical reforms to improve veterans' health care, including mental health care, and to better support wounded warriors and surviving spouses. 

“Today is Veterans Day, when we recognize and honor the men and women who made a promise to protect and defend our country. I can think of no better way to honor them today than by supporting this bill.”

The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act includes the following bipartisan provisions, among others, many of which Congressman Golden has long supported: 

• The Major Richard Star Act, which ends the wounded-warriors tax and ensures veterans who retire after suffering a service-related injury receive both the retirement and disability benefits they earned through their service and dedication to their country;
• The Veterans ACCESS Act, which increases access to residential treatment programs for veterans contending with substance use or mental health issues; 
• The Love Lives On Act, which ends the remarriage penalty so that surviving spouses of fallen service members can remarry without losing the benefits they need to care for their families; 
• The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act, which would require the VA to increase the base rate of monthly benefits for veterans with severe service-connected disabilities and survivor benefits for veterans who die from service-related injuries; and
• Several provisions to expand GI Bill benefits, including increasing the monthly housing allowance for student veterans going to school online or apprenticeship training and expanding access to tech careers.

The Take Care of Veterans Act was supported by The American Legion, Wounded Warriors Project, American Veterans (AMVETS), Korean War Veterans Association, National Military Family Association, Veterans Justice Alliance and Vietnam Veterans of America, among others.