Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) issued the following statement today after House passage of the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2017, 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 happy the House passed bipartisan legislation extending critical veterans programs. Whether it’s ensuring veterans have access to child care when they have VA appointments, to providing mental health services tailored to the unique needs of women veterans, to putting roofs over the heads of those who are homeless, these VA programs are essential parts of our sacred commitment to care for those who served our nation. Today’s vote 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 gets the care they have earned and deserve.”

Congresswoman Brownley has been spearheading the effort in Congress to secure the future of important veterans programs, including introducing legislation in 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, and H.R. 95 passed the full House in July.

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