Press Releases

Today, on the 12^th Anniversary of the Iraq War, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI-02) and Congressman Scott Perry (R-PA-04) launched the Congressional Post-9/11 Veterans Caucus.

The Congressional Post-9/11 Veterans Caucus will serve as an informal group of Members, both Democrats and Republicans, dedicated to issues related to Veterans of America’s most recent military engagements and educating our members on the subject. The caucus’ legislative agenda will focus on the 2.8 million veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, and provide a forum for a new generation of Veterans to voice their concerns and ideas.

“Taking care of the men and women in uniform who have selflessly served our country must be a top priority for Congress,” said Congresswoman Gabbard. “Unique challenges face this new generation of veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. All veterans share a common bond of putting their country first, and there are many issues that veterans across generations must tackle together such as finding employment opportunities upon completion of service, combating veteran suicide, and transitioning back into civilian life. I am thankful to my friend and fellow veteran Congressman Perry for joining me in starting a conversation about the newest generation of veterans who face challenges upon returning to the country they defended abroad. This Congress has passed legislation, such as the Clay Hunt SAV Act, that will help our returning service members, but we have a long way to go in fighting veteran homelessness, providing mental health services, opening the doors to education,  lowering unemployment, and ensuring adequate medical treatment is given to our newest generation of heroes.”

“Congress has a duty to honor the service of those who wear – and wore – our country’s uniform and sacrificed so that we may enjoy the blessings of freedom”, said Congressman Perry. “Thousands of Americans have served selflessly around the world and many of them carry emotional, psychological and physical scars from their service, which raises many complicated public policy challenges, such as helping Veterans to transition to civilian life, confront mental health challenges and find employment. In recent years, Congress has passed legislation to expand Veterans’ health care options, hold the VA more accountable and improve access to mental health services. But we have much more work to do and I’m honored to join my colleague Congresswoman Gabbard to confront these challenges and do right by our Nation’s true heroes and their families.”

The Congressional Post-9/11 Veterans Caucus is focused on empowering the most recent generation of Veterans to continue their commitment to service and carry on their mission of a stronger and more prosperous America.  Our Caucus will strive to improve Veterans’ transition to civilian life, reduce the Veterans Affairs disability claims backlog, promote education, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities, and ensure responsive, expedient, and efficient services for Veterans. Congresswoman Gabbard and Congressman Perry, both Post-911 Veterans, will serve as Co-Chairs of the Caucus.