Hinson doesn’t fight for vets

I recently received a mailer from Rep. Ashley Hinson’s office that was titled “Fighting for the Those Who Fought For Us.” Surely Ms. Hinson isn’t referring to her voting record for veterans in Congress. Because looking at the votes she’s made, it’s clear she is not in fact fighting for veterans like me.

One bill in particular that Hinson did not support was the EVEST Act, a bill that would automatically enroll qualified veterans into the VA Health Care System. This measure would save time and possibly even save lives by providing a continuation of care for veterans.

And let’s not forget Hinson’s vote against the American Rescue Plan, a bill that had a number of provisions in it for veterans. There was $17 billion in that bill to help veterans. It ensured the VA had funding to provide health care services for veterans, including funding for homelessness programs, and to implement a rapid retraining assistance program to help veterans impacted by the pandemic. This bill helped train veterans and keep them employed. The American Rescue Plan also eliminated all out-of-pocket medical costs for veterans and provided much-needed financial relief to veterans experiencing economic hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Supporting veterans means showing up when we need it, not pictures with flags and fancy mailers with surveys. If Ashley Hinson wants to support veterans, she needs to stop voting against bills that help us.

John Meyer

Cedar Rapids