THREAD:

Many veterans who served in Afghanistan have received direct requests from Afghan allies to establish eligibility for a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV).

Scroll through to see the latest instructions from @StateDept for assisting Afghan allies with those requests.

(1/8) (2/8) SIV applicants must be able to prove that they have at least one year of qualifying employment by, or on behalf of, the U.S. government. The majority of SIV applicants are in this stage of the process.

See below for program details ⬇️ 

travel.state.gov/content/travel…

A #MentalHealth resources 🧵:

Scroll through to see the mental health resources available to veterans and their loved ones.

RT because you never know in your life who might need this information. The Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 to help any veteran experiencing a #MentalHealth crisis.

• Call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1
• Visit VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat
• Text 838255

Last week, @TheAtlantic reported that @realDonaldTrump called more than 1,800 marines "suckers" because they were killed at Belleau Wood.

Scroll ⬇️ to see real acts of heroism from the Battle of Belleau Wood – a consequential battle that helped secure victory in #WWI. Lt. Weedon Osborne (@USNavy) was a dentist attached to the 6th @USMC Regiment.

During the Battle of Belleau Wood, Lt. Osborne died in an effort to carry a wounded Marine to safety.

He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor & is buried at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery.

Last year, @BetsyDeVosED rewrote the Borrower Defense rule, making it harder for student veterans to receive debt relief or be forgiven for their student loans.

@RepSusieLee's resolution prevents this rule from going into effect.

@realDonaldTrump vetoed this resolution.

https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/1266507128027693056

That is why today, the House will vote to overturn this veto.

@RepSusieLee's resolution stands with students – especially student veterans – who were scammed by predatory schools and left with a mountain of debt.

#StandWithStudents

https://twitter.com/RepSusieLee/status/1275476407251058695

THREAD (1/9): Today, the @WhiteHouse PREVENTS Task Force unveiled its report regarding veteran suicide.

This report – advanced w/ limited input from Veteran Service Organizations or lawmakers – shows we have much more work to do to prevent veteran suicide & save veterans' lives.

https://twitter.com/LeoShane/status/1273315862800457728

(2/9) Calls for more research, interagency coordination, & meek public education campaigns are not enough.

That’s why the Committee adopted a 7-pillar framework to ensure it examines every angle, intersection, & factor that can eliminate suicide. Learn more about the approach ⬇️

As #COVID19 continues to impact our daily lives, its crucial that we check in on each other— especially our veterans in crisis.

By promoting connectedness, we can all work to address veteran suicide and #BeThere for those in need.

stripes.com/news/veterans/… The spread and uncertainty of the #COVID19 pandemic has increased stress and anxiety among many veterans.

For tips on handling COVID-19 related stress during this time, visit ⬇️
ptsd.va.gov/covid/COVID_ma…

#ICYMI: Yesterday, the Committee sent a bipartisan letter to @SecWilkie pressing for frequent updates and answers on @DeptVetAffairs' response to #COVID19.

Read the full letter⬇️

veterans.house.gov/news/press-rel… Even in the face of a national emergency, it is critical for @DeptVetAffairs to be prepared to carry out its first mission and serve our veterans.

To make sure the Department is prepared to do so, this is what the Committee is asking ⤵️

There are a lot of questions about how veterans will be impacted by #COVID19.

The Committee has been in constant communication with @DeptVetAffairs, and we want to share answers to commonly asked questions. What should veterans do if they think they have #COVID19?

Veterans who think they have #COVID19 should call their VA facility or MyVA311 (844-698-2311 & press #3). VA clinicians will evaluate symptoms & direct them to the appropriate providers for further evaluation & treatment.

As the @DeptVetAffairs considers its own preventive measures to #COVID19, it is important that Congress & the Committee actively work to ensure VA has the required resources to carry out these tasks.

Read here to see what steps we have taken ⬇️

veterans.house.gov/news/press-rel… The Committee is working with key House leaders to make care widely available and affordable to veterans, beneficiaries, employees under Title 38, as well as TRICARE beneficiaries.

This includes the possibility of waiving copayments for all #COVID19 testing and medical visits.

HAPPENING NOW: Our joint hearing with @HouseVetAffairs, @SVACDems, and @SenateVA on the Legislative Presentation of the Disabled American Veterans (@DAVHQ).

Watch here ⬇️

"@DAVHQ is integral in the work to connect veterans with resources & helping them navigate the often-confusing VA system... As a result of DAV’s partnership with Congress, we have better legislation that best serves the needs of our veteran population." - Chairman @RepMarkTakano

From business to education to housing, the House will be voting on 5 bills today to improve the quality of life for veterans and their families.

How do these bills work #ForThePeople?

Read on to find out ⬇️ @RepAnnieKuster & General @RepJackBergman's bill — Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans Act — establishes oversight for VA's small business contracting.

This bill makes sure government-subcontracted, veteran-owned businesses can compete with larger contractors.

How does the #TrumpBudget impact veterans and their families?

Scroll through to see how deep cuts to key social programs and services impact millions of veterans and their families. The #TrumpBudget cuts #Medicaid by $900 billion over the next 10 years.

This cut puts the health and security of over 1.7 million veterans at risk — especially those who need intensive care for conditions like traumatic brain injuries and musculoskeletal disorders.

Today the Subcommittee on Health held a hearing focused on achieving equity in healthcare access for minority veterans.

We have to make sure VA is equipped to accommodate a younger, more diverse population of veterans. @RepBrownley An understanding & culturally aware environment at the VA is vital to ensure veterans receive the treatment they need.

“If [VA] understood the cultural aspects, they have to understand talking to a person that there’s a reason they’re not accessing services.” - Kayla Williams

With more women, LGBTQ, minority, and Native veterans than ever before, we have to make sure VA is ready to care for a more diverse generation of veterans. “The Veterans’ population is becoming more diverse, we know 15-20 percent of all servicemembers are women,” said @RepMarkTakano in his interview with @lgbtqnation.

lgbtqnation.com/2020/02/interv…

VA is one of the top service providers in the world for survivors of Military Sexual Trauma but veterans don’t always know what resources are available. That’s why @VetAffairsDems and the #WomenVetsTaskForce are examining VA’s support for #MST survivors. bit.ly/36ZZZTf Sexual harassment and assault is widespread in the military-- 1 in 4 women veterans have experienced sexual harassment, denigration of service, or other hostile behavior from male veterans at VA facilities and many face retaliation for reporting. hsrd.research.va.gov/publications/v…

Yesterday, my staffer bravely shared her story of a sexual assault at the DC VA and Secretary Wilkie’s response ⬇️jezebel.com/he-was-implyin… Unfortunately, this problem is not new. Every day women veterans visit VA facilities across the country to access some of the best care available, especially for #MST, but too many encounter a problematic culture of harassment while trying to access that care.

Committee Chairman @RepMarkTakano and @RepBrownley issued statements following a flippant response from @SecWilkie’s regarding allegations of sexual assault of a @VetAffairsDems staffer at a VA facility, → veterans.house.gov/news/press-rel… @RepMarkTakano @RepBrownley @SecWilkie “To cast doubt on credible, serious, and concerning claims about how women are treated at VA is outrageous. Women veterans are already hesitant to come forward and report sexual harassment & sexual assault because they fear being dismissed & retaliated against.” - @RepMarkTakano

New in 2020- @realDonaldTrump once again falsely claims his administration’s work for veterans is “perfect”. Sadly, we do hear from veterans still experiencing issues with VA. And that’s not the only misleading claim he’s lobbed….

https://twitter.com/LeoShane/status/1217497577236631554

@realDonaldTrump Trump created the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection to protect those who speak out against waste, fraud, and abuse-- yet VA whistleblowers face retaliation in the workplace after standing up for our veterans.

Over the weekend #PuertoRico was hit with more tremors and aftershocks resulting from the magnitude 6.4 earthquake on January 7th. There are nearly 80, 000 veterans on the island that could have been affected by these events. washingtonpost.com/national/puert… Last year, Chairman @RepMarkTakano visited #PuertoRico to meet with veterans and examine VA’s disaster-preparedness capabilities. He also saw firsthand the lasting damage from #HurricaneMaria and what VA may need to prepare for future disasters.

This week is going to be very busy for @HouseDemocrats…

to start off, @VetAffairsDems has 3 bipartisan bills on the floor! @HouseDemocrats First up: H.R. 4920 Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting Preference Consistency Act - @RepMarkTakano congress.gov/bill/116th-con…

The Veterans Crisis Line exists exactly for this purpose-- to reach veterans in crisis.

https://twitter.com/HouseVetAffairs/status/1202699235713568769

“During the legislative hearing, @DAVHQ, the @AmericanLegion, and @PVA1946 testified that they opposed using VA grant funds to provide clinical care. I agree with them, which is why I oppose this amendment.” -@RepMarkTakano