Keeping Our Promise to Veterans

After 22 years in the Army, it’s truly an honor and a privilege to continue serving you – the people of Michigan’s 7th Congressional District – and our country as your representative in Congress.

In case you missed it, I was recently appointed to serve on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and have the opportunity to chair the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization. While I’ve only been in Congress a few weeks, I’ve hit the ground running and wanted to take a moment to update you on some of my work to support you and our fellow veterans in Michigan. 

Earlier this month, I introduced my first bill in Congress called the Clear Communication for Veterans’ Claims Act to improve the VA claims process for veterans and their families. The simple truth is that dealing with the VA shouldn’t be confusing or overwhelming. My bill would make sure VA letters are clear and easy to understand, not full of legal jargon that no one understands, so you can get the benefits you deserve without the headache.  

I also recently introduced the ASSIST Act to make it easier for disabled veterans to get assistance from the VA to make the vehicle adaptations they need—ramp and kneeling systems, mobility device lifts, non-articulating trailers, and ingress or egress accessibility modifications—so they can move from place to place safely. It’s time to address the outdated rules that are causing veterans to struggle to get the equipment that helps them live independently.  

Lastly, I was proud to support the Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act and the Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act, two important bills that will help combat the veteran homelessness crisis in America. Specifically, the bill will help more veterans access housing assistance by fixing unfair income calculations that have kept some from getting the resources they need.  

The bottom line is this: Whether it’s cutting through red tape at the VA, improving access to housing, or making sure every veteran gets the support they’ve earned; I will always fight for you. If you ever need help with a VA issue or anything else, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at 517-993-0510 or at Barrett.House.Gov.  

Thank you for your service. It’s an honor to serve you in Congress.