SCOOP: House Republicans roll out video series to commemorate Veterans Day
Here's how House Republicans are celebrating Veterans Day across the country this year.
In advance of Veterans Day, the House GOP rolled out a series of videos, obtained exclusively by the Washington Reporter, featuring Republican veterans-turned-lawmakers who gave their messages to America’s veterans, past, present, and future.
In one video, recorded by Rep. Don Bacon (R., Neb.), the Air Force general thanked the “one percent that defend our country. And I thank also the five percent who are veterans who wore the uniform in the past, and still do great things for our country.”
Joining Bacon in recording message to veterans were Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (R., Fla.), Rich McCormick (R., Ga.), and Joe Wilson (R., S.C.), who have decades of distinguished military service between them.
In her message, Luna notes that she and her husband are both Air Force veterans who “understand firsthand the issues that are facing our community.”
“So if you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out,” she said. “We’ve returned a lot of money, and frankly, you’re owed it. Aside from that, I also wanted to be the first to let you know that after working with the Secretary of War, and frankly, after what happened with the last hurricane that came through here, we have officially received word and authorization that we will be getting a brand new special tactics squadron right here in Tampa Bay.”
For Wilson, service runs in his family, which he notes in his message as well. “As a 31-year veteran myself, son of a Flying Tiger, a very grateful dad of four sons who served in the military, I know how important the military is,” he explained. “And what the veterans have achieved, the greatest spread today of freedom and democracy in the history of the world. And I’m so grateful for the leadership of President Donald Trump. What we have is peace through strength, and with this, we can face the freedom opportunities of the world. And God bless America, and God bless our troops.”
Finally, McCormick had a message for the American who chose to serve in the military: “God bless you. I pray for you every single day, and I am thankful for the sacrifices that have been made for this great nation to be what it is,” the Marine Corps and Navy veteran said. “The safest, most secure nation in the world. The greatest nation that ever lived. God bless you, and Semper Fidelis.”
The House GOP, which is chaired by Rep. Lisa McClain (R., Mich.), also noted to the Reporter that other Republican lawmakers around the country were busy meeting with veterans and helping their communities in advance of the holiday.
“Today, we honor the brave men and women who’ve served our nation, including the more than 50 House Republicans who have proudly worn the uniform and continue serving our country in Congress,” McClain told the Reporter. “I’m proud to serve alongside them as we work to ensure every veteran receives the care and respect they’ve earned.”
Examples included Rep. French Hill’s (R., Ark.) team collecting hundreds of letters and handmade cards from students honoring veterans and their families; Rep. Mike Lawler (R., N.Y.) speaking at a Veterans Appreciation Ceremony in his district; Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R., Fla.) hosting his 10th Annual Stars, Stripes, and Smiles event where local dentists provided free dental care to veterans in his district; Rep. Eric Burlison (R., Mo.) greeting veterans who participated in an Honor Flight; Rep. Sheri Biggs (R., S.C.) visiting her local Veterans Service Office and touring the Greenwood Veterans Museum, and Rep. Burgess Owens (R., Utah) joining volunteers as they paid tribute to our nation’s veterans by carrying a 400-pound U.S. flag up Ogden Canyon.
On a policy standpoint, Republicans are also eager to note that their signature piece of legislation, the Working Families Tax Cut, included $5 billion to adapt VA facilities for accessibility, adding ramps and equipment and protections to ensure uninterrupted healthcare for 100 percent disabled veterans; every Democrat in Congress voted against that bill.
Outside of Congress, the Department of Veterans Affairs is now run by a former House Republican, Doug Collins — and under Collins’s leadership, the backlog of veterans waiting for their earned benefits has dropped by more than 37 percent and the VA is processing a record 2.52 million disability claims this fiscal year — the highest ever.