Peters Joins Post 9/11 Veterans Caucus
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters today announced that he has joined the Post 9/11 Veterans Caucus, a bipartisan caucus that aims to investigate and better understand how to best serve the 21st century veteran, specifically those that served during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn, which includes historically large numbers of women, National Guardsmen and Reservists The caucus will raise awareness on important issues facing new veterans such as employment, education, specific health care needs and the transition to civilian life.
“Every day, America’s brave men and women in uniform put their lives on the line to protect and defend our freedom and our way of life, and it is our responsibility to ensure that they receive the care and support they’ve earned through their service,” said Senator Peters, a former Lt. Commander in the Navy Reserve. “I am committed to keeping the promises we have made to our brave men and women during and after their service, and I am honored to join my colleagues in working to raise awareness regarding critical issues for new veterans.”
Michigan is home to over 650,000 veterans, including roughly 46,000 women and more than 50,000 Post 9/11 veterans.
The Post 9/11 Veterans Caucus is supported by numerous veterans groups, including the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, Student Veterans of America and Vietnam Veterans of America.
Senator Peters has been a strong voice for Michigan’s veterans and servicemembers. Recently, Peters introduced legislation with Republican Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) to help veterans who may have been erroneously given an administrative discharge from the military rather than an honorable discharge, due to behavior resulting from mental traumas such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Additionally, earlier this year, Peters introduced legislation with Republican Senator Joni Ernst (IA) that would extend for five years a tax credit for small businesses that provide differential pay to military reservists and National Guard members called to serve on active duty.
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