Legislation News
Veterans in the 116th Congress, By the Numbers
Thursday, July 4, 2019 | Category: Legislation - National
When the 2015-2017 114th Congress opened, 101 members (4 women/97 men) had military experience, a steady decline since 2005. The 2018 elections (116th Congress) halted this decline with more than 150 veterans running for the U.S. House of Representatives, more than 75 elected,16 serving their first terms 3 of whom are women joining the House. The 116th congress will include 95 total veterans (6 women),18 in the Senate (2 women) and 77 (4 women) in the House. In 2012 and 2014, 12 and in 2016 14 veteran first-termers were elected. Read this article for more details.
Congress’s Four Female Combat Veterans Are Speaking Up on Military Issues
Tuesday, August 2, 2016 | Category: Legislation - National
There are 102 veterans serving in Congress...four are females with combat service time. They have become "go-to" military-related legislation authorities in what use to be a male veteran-dominated arena. Each are proud of their service, had diverse military experiences and memories, and today have differing ideological perspectives on various military issues. A majority of House and Senate Armed Services Committee members supported Selective Service registration for women ages 18 to 25 and all four are in favor of women being subject to a draft when one is deemed necessary.
More Must Be Done to Help Female Vets
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 | Category: Legislation - Colorado
Christina Dieters,spouse of a veteran, shares her interest and concern for challenges women veterans may experience. She notes that most health-related issues are not gender-specific, but the care and treatment may be beneficially tailored. She makes a plea for citizens to reach out to their legislators to support veteran legislation.
Statement from Paralyzed Veterans of America on the Women Veterans and Families Health Services Act of 2015
Wednesday, July 22, 2015 | Category: Legislation - National
The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs withdrew S. 469, the “Women Veterans and Families Health Services Act of 2015" from legislative markup. The bill "would lift an antiquated ban on VA providing fertility services to veterans who have incurred a severe injury to their reproductive organs." Many female veterans with grievous injuries from explosive devices are unable to conceive a child naturally. Assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) are provided by the Department of Defense. The Paralyzed Veterans of America believes that political ideologies overshadowed "the needs of veterans with catastrophic disabilities, particularly those with spinal cord injury or disease."
Senate Panel Backs Military Retirement Change, Troop Pay Raise of 1.3%
Wednesday, May 13, 2015 | Category: Legislation - National
This Senate Armed Services Committee Personnel Subcommittee legislation mark up supports a 401(k)-type military retirement plan by 2017, lower pay raises, higher TriCare pharmacy co-pay fees an slowing growth of housing allowances. The legislation would also modify courts-martial rules to protect sexual assault special victims' counsels from receiving unfavorable evaluations as a form of retaliation and authorize them to assist sexual assault survivors in filing complaints to inspectors general and members of Congress.
By the Numbers: How Well Do You Know the 114th Congress?
Sunday, January 25, 2015 | Category: Legislation - National
This article authored by Bill Lucey, is a statistical breakdown of the demographic characteristics, including military service experience, of the 114th Congress in session 2015-2017.
Female Vets Say They'll Put Country First, Even On Capitol Hill
Wednesday, October 15, 2014 | Category: Legislation - National
Only five female veterans have ever served in Congress, but 11 ran for seats in 2014, the most ever. A May 20, 2014 Pew Research Center poll from May found military service to be the No. 1 trait people in both parties want to see in a president. It has been added benefit for female candidates, helping to rebut any idea that they're not tough enough for elected office.
More Republicans than Democrats see military service as asset for presidential candidates
Tuesday, May 20, 2014 | Category: Legislation - National
Republicans and Democrats have different wish lists when it comes to what traits they want in a candidate in preparation for the 216 presidential campaign. Military service tops the list for Republicans, while many Democrats would like to see a woman at the top of the ticket according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in April 2014.