Blumenthal Receives 'Legislator of the Year' Award for his Advocacy for Veterans

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Earlier this week, the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) awarded U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal their Legislator of the Year Award in recognition of his leadership and service to America's veterans as Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Photos are available here.

"I am honored to receive the Legislator of the Year Award from Vietnam Veterans of America-a fierce champion for veterans in Connecticut and across the nation," said Ranking Member Blumenthal. "Ensuring veterans receive quality health care and benefits starts with being voices for veterans, their families, and the dedicated workers who serve them. I'm grateful to Vietnam Veterans of America for their leadership, and I look forward to continuing our work to protect and expand the care and benefits that veterans need and deserve."

"Vietnam Veterans of America recognizes Senator Richard Blumenthal for his close collaboration with VVA to make the benefits and oversight systems more fair, transparent, and veteran-centered. His readiness to work with our membership has driven meaningful, veteran-first reforms," said Vietnam Veterans of America.

"Senator Blumenthal has consistently invited VVA to the table as a partner, most recently on targeted protections for veterans and their families. We value his collaborative approach and his commitment to turning veterans' voices into effective action," said VVA National President Thomas Burke.

Blumenthal has worked for years alongside VVA and other Veterans Service Organizations (VSO) to protect and expand the delivery of health care services and benefits for veterans and their families. This includes expanding mental health services for veterans with Blumenthal's landmark Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Act, and championing provisions in the PACT Act to expand benefits, health care, and compensation to toxic-exposed veterans. Blumenthal and VVA also have worked together to improve the delivery of health care, support for homeless veterans, and essential VA services for veterans and survivors with the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, which was signed into law this year.

Continuing their partnership to improve veterans' care and benefits this Congress, Blumenthal and VVA are working to pass Blumenthal's Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act-bipartisan legislation to improve military sexual trauma (MST) survivors' access to health care and benefits, as well as bolster MST claims processing. This legislation also would ensure individuals who leave service academies early are told about their potential eligible for MST-related care and counseling at VA-building off Blumenthal's work as Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations on Operation Fouled Anchor at the Coast Guard Academy.

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