President Donald J. Trump has made it a priority to support the American veterans and service members who courageously protect our country.
Last year, he approved “a colossal defense bill” that authorized $738 billion for fiscal year 2020, meant to rebuild and strengthen our U.S. military. According to a report from CNBC:
This year’s legislation includes a 3.1% pay increase for troops, the first-ever paid family leave for all federal workers and the creation of a Space Force — the first addition to the sister services in 72 years.
The $738 billion for fiscal 2020 represents a $21 billion increase over what Congress enacted for fiscal 2019.
“The American military has been completely rebuilt under my administration at a cost of $2.5 trillion,” President Trump said in the State of the Union address this year. “U.S. armed forces are stronger than ever before. The fact that we have this great military and equipment, however, does not mean that we have to use it,” he continued. “We do not want to use it.”
In addition to massively funding the Pentagon, President Trump has worked tirelessly to ensure that our American heroes have the care and support they have earned when they leave the service. President Trump signed the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, making it easier to identify problems within the VA and improve the quality of service for veterans. In an effort to expedite the appeals process for veterans, President Trump signed the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act. His administration also created a 24/7 White House VA Hotline to ensure that our veterans receive immediate attention and aid.
The Trump administration has worked tirelessly to improve healthcare quality for veterans and end the tragedy of veteran suicide. The President signed the VA MISSION Act, legislation greatly expands veteran’s ability to choose the healthcare that best meets their individual needs. President Trump also signed a funding bill that secures $8.6 billion for veterans’ mental health services and $400 million for opioid use prevention.
President Trump is making sure that veterans receive the educational benefits they deserve. In 2017, the President signed the “Forever GI Bill,” providing veterans access to their veteran educational benefits at any point during their lifetime. He’s signed a presidential memorandum that makes it easier for totally and permanently disabled veterans to have their Federal student debt eliminated, and signed an executive order to enhance opportunities for military spouses to find employment within the Federal government. And under the Trump administration, before coronavirus, veteran employment reached the lowest level ever recorded.
President Trump stands with our military service members – and his record proves it.