Politics. On Point.

On yesterday the nation, once again, took a day to remember its veterans who lost their lives serving their country.  Amid the wreath laying, motorcycles roaring, flags waving, and parades, the fact remains that the country's surviving veterans need help, and the institutions put in place to assist them, are shrouded in incompetency and bureaucracy. Last yea r, we spoke to two individuals who are products of the United States armed forces as they told us stories of their families and loved ones who served, and their struggles with the Veterans Administration office to get the services they desperately need. Outside the Department of Veteran Affairs in Washington, DC on a cold February day, our interviewee had this message for the Department of Veteran Affairs, and President Obama . "Help the veterans, because they deserve it more than anybody else in this country." The VA has come under fire (again) for its mismanagement of veterans' cases leaving some...

In a recent video message, Congressman Boehner (R-OH) invited veterans from across the Eighth District to attend an upcoming information night with Boehner staff and representatives from the Cleveland Veterans Administration Regional Office, VA medical centers, Ohio Department of Veterans Services, and County Veterans Service Officers. Rep. Boehner explains in the video below that these events aim to provide assistance and information to constituents about services for veterans available in Ohio.     Please see schedule below for event details. An informational flyer  is provided here. Monday, September 9, 2013 5:00pm 315 High Street, 1 st  Floor  Hamilton, OH Tuesday, September 10, 2013 5:00pm American Legion Post 140 325 N. Ohio Street Greenville, OH Thursday September 12, 2013 5:00pm Moose Lodge 1802 Selma Road Springfield, OH Veterans interested in attending any of the ...

Virginia Commonwealth University has been awarded a $62 million federal grant to oversee a national research consortium of universities, hospitals and clinics that will study what happens to service members and veterans who suffer mild traumatic brain injuries or concussions, the White House announced .   The concussions that will be studied include both combat injuries, such as those from blasts and bullets, and civilian injuries, such as those from car accidents, sports injuries and falls.   [Read Article HERE ]. “This is another significant milestone in VCU’s ascent as a national-caliber public research university,” said VCU President Michael Rao. “We recognize that an award of this magnitude only results from the research excellence that is fostered and encouraged across VCU.”   This is the second particularly large grant that VCU has received in recent years. In 2010, VCU received a $20 million grant – until now, the largest federal award in its hi...

Leading veterans’ organizations joined President Obama at the White House and announced their support for the Returning Heroes and Wounded Warrior Tax Credits, two provisions in the American Jobs Act Congress is scheduled to consider this week. President Obama also announced three executive actions that will help veterans find jobs. Today’s announcement is part of a series of executive actions to put Americans back to work and strengthen the economy. The Returning Heroes Tax Credit provides firms that hire unemployed veterans with a maximum credit of $5,600 per veteran. The Wounded Warriors Tax Credit offers firms that hire veterans with service-connected disabilities with a maximum credit of $9,600 per veteran.   “No veteran should have to fight for a job at home after they fight for our nation overseas,” said President Obama. “Congress should pass the Returning Heroes and Wounded Warrior tax credits, but we can’t wait for Congress to act. That’s why today, I am directin...

The letters J-O-B-S hang down the front of the Commerice building in Washington.  Just a block from the White House.  Photo/CD Brown. Yesterday we learned that more than 70,000 FAA employees were returned to work after almost a two week long furlough after Congress worked together to end the FAA shutdown. Today, we learn that the July jobs report shows shows that private sector payrolls increased by 154,000 in July. The economy has added 2.4 million private sector jobs over the past 17 months, despite a slowdown in economic growth from substantial headwinds in the first half of the year. Still, unemployment remains at an all time high, hovering around 9.1%. In some cities, mainly urban, overall unemployment tops 20%. Unemployment in Detroit is currently at a staggering 30%.   President Obama continues to make jobs creation his top priority. But the affects are slow, and people remain impatient, while the White House remains optimistic. In an alm...

President Obama made remarks yesterday celebrating Veteran's Day at U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan in Seoul Korea, as he and the First Lady continue their G-20 Summit tour of Asia. On Veteran's Day, (and back home) Vice President Biden will host a Veteran's Day breakfast at the White House and will visit Arlington National Cemetery where he will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at 11AM. (See here ). The Vice President will then deliver remarks at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery. The President will participate in a wreath laying ceremony at the U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan in Seoul, South Korea. and will later attend the official G-20 welcome reception and dinner at the National Museum of Korea. The President's remarks, to a seemingly rousing crowd, in Seoul is below.    We are so proud to have with us U.S. and Republic of Korea vets of the Korean War who are here. And we are greatly honored by their presenc...

“Honor The Dead By Helping the Living.” During an address by Vice President Biden at the 111th VFW National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, Biden thanked veterans for establishing the Department of Veterans Affairs and building a National Cemetery System. "You worked to secure a better future for service members and their families by helping pass two GI bills", said Biden. Biden told the assembled crowd their work "has never been more important than it is today".   

In President Obama's Weekly Address he announced that on Monday the Department of Veterans Affairs, led by Secretary Shinseki, will begin to make it easier for veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to receive the benefits they need. "Just as we have a solemn responsibility to train and equip our troops before we send them into harm’s way, we have a solemn responsibility to provide our veterans and wounded warriors with the care and benefits they’ve earned when they come home" , said Obama. For many years, veterans with PTSD have been stymied in receiving benefits by requirements they produce evidence proving a specific event caused the PTSD. Streamlining this process will help not just the veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars, but generations of veterans who have served and sacrificed for the country. "Many veterans with PTSD who have tried to seek benefits – veterans of today’s wars and earlier wars – have often found themselves stymied. They’ve ...