Vindman: “We must strengthen our national defense but cannot do so at the expense of American families”
WASHINGTON — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07), who sits on the U.S. House Armed Services Committee (HASC), issued the following response to the bipartisan passage of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2025.
“As a 25-year Army veteran and former JAG prosecutor, I know how important it is to have the most lethal, best prepared military force in the world. The increased investments I supported today will better support our military families, best equip our service members, and build a fighting force that can deter threats from our staunchest adversaries like China and Russia.
“I voted to invest in improving the quality of life for military personnel and their families at the three bases in the Seventh District and across the country. Improvements like service member tuition assistance, childcare fee assistance, and impact aid to local educational agencies to better support military families. I’m proud to have also supported the substantial increase in investment for unmanned aerial systems, which are critical for our troops to fight and win on the modern battlefield.
“I fought to further ensure this funding invests directly in the military’s most important resource – its people. Today, I introduced two amendments to improve this bill – investing $2.6 billion in tuition and healthcare of our troops in addition to slashing waste, fraud, and abuse.
“We must strengthen our national defense but cannot do so at the expense of hardworking American families struggling to get by. The funding cuts that extreme Republicans propose will hurt families across the Seventh District including veterans, people with disabilities, and the elderly.
“At a recent town hall, I met a constituent whose son suffers from a rare, life-limiting disease. Even with two working parents and private insurance, they rely on Medicaid to afford the care their son needs. They should be focused on making memories with their son — not fighting to hold onto essential health coverage.
“I have also spoken with a retired Army helicopter pilot, now a full-time caregiver to his autistic daughter who shared his fear of losing his federal job due to the chaos caused by extreme Republicans in Washington. His service to our nation didn’t end in uniform — and he deserves stability, not political games that put his family at risk.
“Republicans are proposing devastating cuts to Medicaid to fund tax breaks for billionaires. That’s unconscionable. Families should be focused on making memories with their children — not fighting to keep their health coverage or jobs.
“In the greatest country on Earth, we can invest in our military, protect hardworking families, and demand the wealthy pay their fair share. We must and I will.”
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