Helping Veterans

During my time in the Senate, I have made sure to listen to Pennsylvania's veterans, especially when considering policies that affect them. They often tell me the transition to civilian life following their service in the military and a finding good job can be a serious challenge.

As our veterans re-enter civilian life, I believe we should do a better job helping them find employment that takes advantage of the leadership and technical skills that come with military service. A couple weeks ago, I introduced a bill that would reform our veteran employment programs so state officials, not bureaucrats in Washington, can help focus resources on where they're needed most. It's called the SOLVE Act, and it would give governors more flexibility to decide which state agencies can best coordinate and more efficiently use funds to help veterans find jobs.

Congressman Ryan Costello of Pennsylvania introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. You can learn more about my bipartisan effort to help veterans find jobs here. The photo above is of me and Staff Sgt. Earl Granville - a Pennsylvania veteran and Purple Heart recipient who visited with me in my office last year.

Taking care of Pennsylvania's veterans has long been a priority of mine. Last week, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation that will increase Veterans Administration (VA) funding to help our veterans. The legislation, which I supported, will provide additional resources to improve veterans' health care and reduce the claims backlog.

I am pleased that this bill also includes a bipartisan amendment I authored along with Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) to help ensure the VA is providing adequate care to today's severely disabled veterans.

You can learn more about my work on behalf of America's veterans here.

I sat down with several students from the U.S. Army War College who were in Washington recently as one of their final requirements before graduation. The military officers attending the historic, Carlisle-based school had the chance to speak to elected and appointed policy makers in Washington to discuss various issues, management, and leadership. At our meeting we delved into a debate on the intricacies of the federal budget.

The Army War College is the jewel of the Army post-graduate program and it is right in our own backyard. Less than 10 percent of eligible and promising military officers are selected to attend. The War College prepares men and women to assume the most senior commands in the military. Graduates become strategic-level leaders and serve at the highest levels of government, with many becoming General Officers.

For the fourth year in a row, my staff had the pleasure to participate in the Veterans Resource Fair sponsored by the Philadelphia City Council's Veterans Advisory Commission. I am committed to helping veterans who are having problems with federal agencies and programs. The fair was a good way to let our veterans know what services are available to them.

Other veteran support organizations, as well as city, state, and federal agencies, participated in the fair by providing information, benefits, and resources for Philadelphia's veterans population.

If you or a member of your family is having trouble dealing with the VA or another federal agency, please call my office at 1-855-552-1831. My staff members are trained to cut through a lot of red tape and help you get the services you deserve.

Pictured from left to right:

• Imani Johnson -- my field representative for Southeastern Pennsylvania,
• Betty Christian -- Deputy District Commander of the 1st District of Philadelphia of the American Legion, veteran of the Vietnam War,
• Beverly Glover -- Deputy District Commander of the 1st District of Philadelphia of the American Legion and Vice Chairwoman of Membership for the Department of Pennsylvania, veteran of the Vietnam War.

The United States and Israel share a unique strategic partnership and friendship. Today, as the Middle East disintegrates into violent chaos, this relationship is more important than ever.

As moral allies, our two countries are joined by an unwavering commitment to democratic ideals. Free speech, open elections, and religious freedoms are values found on the streets of Pittsburgh and Jerusalem alike. Israel's status in the world was born of its urgent necessity - a homeland for an oppressed people built on the most natural of rights: The right to exist, to practice religion freely, to have a voice, to be an equal citizen of the world. If anyone can appreciate this necessity, it is the United States - a country considered new by the yardstick of history, born out of religious persecution and political oppression.

Our mutual commitment to these ideals binds us in history, but it also binds us in the new and dangerous challenges we face on the global stage. The United States and Israel are friends. We are allies. Our mutual hope for security is only possible when we join together in strategic alliances to preserve our values and way of life that we know are worth defending.

You can read more about my commitment to Israel in a column I wrote for the Jewish Policy Center here.