NORTHUMBERLAND – “My priority is veterans and protecting their rights.” U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) made that statement at a recent town hall meeting in Northumberland.
Toomey said, “We just have a lot of challenges that we need to address in how our veterans are treated when they come back from service. Especially those men and women coming back from recent tours of duty. The unemployment rate among recently returning veterans is higher than the national average, which is really counterintuitive to me.”
Toomey says he is trying to change that statistic, “I’ve been able to pass a number of bills that encourage employers to hire veterans. I think that’s good policy. It’s good for veterans. It’s something we owe to the men and women who have taken a huge risk and made a big sacrifice for all of us.”
Toomey sponsored the VA Hospital Reform Bill, which passed the Senate. The bill gives veterans a choice in the healthcare providers. This bill followed the recent scandal over mismanaged care, and deaths reported, due to long waits at VA hospitals. (Ali Stevens)