This week I’ve been hard at work fighting to protect Iowans, our veterans and our workers through legislation that protects our jobs, our health and our safety.
I voted with a bipartisan majority of my colleagues in the House to pass the National Defense Authorization Act, which gives a 4.6% pay raise for service members and civilians and supports inflation bonuses for service members and civilians earning less than $45,000 a year.
This legislation includes two of my bills, one of which helps connect members of the National Guard and Reservists to skills training opportunities and the other helps rural Iowa communities reduce homelessness.
My Transition for Success Act will provide in-demand skills training and employment assistance to members of the National Guard and Reserve who are transitioning into civilian life.
This legislation was important to me because I believe if anyone in the National Guard or Reserve is willing to put their lives on the line for our country, then they deserve equal opportunities to succeed as their fellow members of the military.
I was happy to see this legislation included in the package of bills that passed the House this week, and I am pleased to know the men and women who have served our country will be able to access the skills training programs they need to set themselves up for a successful future.
My Flexibility in Addressing Rural Homelessness Act was also included in the package. The legislation will give rural communities more flexibility in how they use homelessness funding to ensure quality lodging is available for Iowans who have been displaced from their homes.
Homelessness in rural areas looks different from what it does in urban communities because there’s oftentimes few or no places to seek shelter. My new legislation will give rural communities more flexibility in how homelessness funding can be used to ensure the money is being used in ways that make the most sense for each individual community.
This legislation will not only help our veterans but all who finds themselves in need of housing in Iowa’s rural communities.
This week I also voted for the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT), which will ensure Iowa veterans who have been exposed to burn pits and toxic substances receive the medical treatment they deserve.
The Honoring our PACT Act will provide access to VA health care to millions of veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances. It also directs the VA to presume veterans with certain conditions have been exposed to toxic substances instead of forcing veterans to prove their exposure, as the current process requires.
Veterans who are living with toxic exposure served our country honorably, and these heroes need to get the medical care they deserve. It’s my hope that the Senate passes this legislation quickly because lives are on the line.
I can’t thank our veterans enough, and I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to fight for them.
Rep. Cindy Axne of West Des Moines represents Iowa’s Third Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. She can be reached at 202-225-5476.
