Washington, DC – Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) today welcomed passage in the U.S. House of Representatives of the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2018, which extends critical veterans programs through September 2019, including the VA’s child care pilot program, women veterans retreats pilot program, and support services for homeless veterans.
“I am so pleased the House passed bipartisan legislation that extends critical veterans programs,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “Whether it’s ensuring veterans have access to affordable and convenient child care when they have VA appointments, to providing mental health services tailored to the unique needs of women veterans, to housing veterans who are experiencing homelessness, these VA programs play an essential role in keeping our sacred promise to our nation’s veterans that we will take care of them when they return from service. The passage of today’s bill is a testament to the success, effectiveness, and popularity of these programs, and I will continue fighting to make them permanent so that every veteran has access to the care and services they have earned and deserve.”
Congresswoman Brownley has been spearheading the effort in Congress to secure the future of these important veterans programs, including introducing legislation last January to make permanent the VA’s pilot program on retreats for women veterans (H.R. 91), to expand and make permanent the VA’s child care pilot program (H.R. 95), and to make permanent several homeless veterans assistance programs (H.R. 104). H.R. 91 passed the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee in May of last year, and H.R. 95 passed the full House in July of last year.
Issues: 115th Congress, Veterans' Affairs