EVERETT — U.S. Sen. Patty Murray wants to make sure veterans get what they need as soon as possible.
“I’ve met too many Vietnam veterans who have lived 40 years on the streets dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder,” Murray said. “I do not want to hear 30 years from now that even one soldier who served in Iraq is homeless because he could not get help with PTSD.”
Murray’s first official tour as the new chairwoman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee was Tuesday at the Everett Vet Center. She is the first woman to lead the committee.
Murray spoke with local veterans at the counseling center about their struggles and their hopes.
The senator’s hope is that under her leadership, the federal Department of the Veterans Affairs will make changes that better serve the country’s military veterans.
Murray’s recess week before she returns to Washington, D.C., is focused on visiting veterans around the state.
“It’s always an incredible experience to sit and listen to the individual stories of our veterans,” Murray said. “This country has a lot of work to do to meet the needs of our vets. This is my chance to really make a difference and hold the VA accountable.”
It’s not just young men returning from combat who need help with the transition to civilian life, good access to care, a shorter processes for claims benefits and the availability of mental health counseling, Murray said. Female veterans are having a hard time even being recognized as vets.
“We hear about women veterans who call the VA and are asked when their husbands served,” Murray said.
Murray is also upset about the possibility of the federal government being shut down as congressional Republicans and Democrats feud over spending cuts.
“The first people I think of in a government shutdown are the veterans. Not providing services to them is intolerable,” she said.
When the federal government shut down for 20 days in 1995, more than 400,000 veterans saw their disability benefits and pension claims delayed, Murray aide Matt McAlvanah said.
Checks were not mailed, phone calls were not answered, counseling appointments were canceled.
“The invisible wounds of war are among the things we must deal with as a country,” Murray said.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.
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