Veterans' Affairs

Today, Representatives Julia Brownley (D-CA) and Jackie Walorski (R-IN) introduced the Veteran Entrepreneurs Act, legislation to help veterans achieve the American Dream by reducing barriers often in the way of starting a small business. The bill lowers up-front costs for veterans opening a franchise — a good option for first-time small business owners because of the built-in support — by cutting red tape and creating a tax credit to cover 25 percent of initial franchisee fees.

With 2018 now gone, and with it the 115th Congress, federal lawmakers left a lot on the table that would help veterans nationwide. One such bill would require the VA to provide dental care. The legislation, which was reintroduced by Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Calif.) on Jan. 3, require the VA to provide dental care to veterans, just as they provide medical care. 

Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) released a statement today after she was sworn in to the 116th Congress.

On the first day of the 116th Congress, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) introduced the Homeless Veteran Families Act, legislation to help homeless veterans with children find a safe place to live.

This week, the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act, legislation co-authored by Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) and Congressman Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) to fight veteran homelessness by strengthening job training programs, was signed into law. The bill passed Congress as part of the Veterans Benefit and Transition Act of 2018.

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act, legislation co-authored by Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) and Congressman Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), to fight veteran homelessness by strengthening job training programs. This bill was passed as part of the Veterans Benefit and Transition Act of 2018, and it is expected to pass the Senate and be signed into law in the coming days.

Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), who represents the district Canley calls home, said in an interview that several men who served with Canley in Vietnam brought his case to her office in 2014. 

Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Calif.) wrote the necessary legislation to upgrade Canley’s Navy Cross after Defense Secretary James Mattis wrote her in December that Congress would have to waive the law requiring Medals of Honor to be awarded within five years of the actions justifying the award.

Sergeant Major Canley, who served as a Marine for 28 years, has been recognized for his heroism before with the Navy Cross as well as two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart, according to Representative Julia Brownley, Democrat of California, who represents the district where he now lives. He was her guest at Mr. Trump’s State of the Union address in January.

In 2014, one of Canley’s fellow servicemembers contacted Rep. Julia Brownley, the California Democrat who represents Canley’s home district, to request that Canley’s Navy Cross, two Bronze Stars and Purple Heart be upgraded to the nations’ highest military honor.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) attended the Medal of Honor ceremony for Sergeant Major (Ret.) John Canley of Oxnard, who received the prestigious honor for his heroism during the Vietnam War.

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.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) welcomed the White House’s announcement that Sergeant Major (Ret.) John Canley of Oxnard will receive the prestigious Medal of Honor for his heroism during the Vietnam War. Brownley’s legislation making Canley eligible to receive the medal, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, was signed into law in January.

Brownley, top Democrat on the House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee, said in a statement the estimated 160,000 transgender veterans in the United States are deserving of coverage and “have put their lives on the line in order to protect our constitutionally protected freedoms.”

Today, 83 bipartisan Members of Congress, led by Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA), called on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to end its ban on medically necessary treatments for our country’s transgender veterans.

Today, House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Julia Brownley (D-CA) and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member Annie Kuster (D-NH) requested that the VA Inspector General investigate recent reports of undue influence by unaccountable outside individuals on the operations of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Brownley and Kuster also called for the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee to hold a hearing on whether these “advisors” to President Trump have violated any laws.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee, today led a Congressional hearing in Camarillo to discuss VA’s long-term care services.

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Congresswoman Julia Brownley’s (D-CA) bill to ensure that veterans with service-connected disabilities – regardless of age – can prepare for, find, and maintain meaningful careers.