Veterans
There is no higher priority to me than fighting for those who chose to serve their country in uniform. As a 20-year Navy veteran, I know firsthand the unique challenges and opportunities that our veterans face as they transition out of service.
As a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I work closely with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find ways to support veterans and their families. On the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, I have pressed the VA to find ways to streamline jobs programs to make them easier to use for veterans, and I am a cosponsor of the Reduce Unemployment for Veterans of All Ages Act. This bill will repeal a limitation preventing veterans who have been out of the service for longer than 12 years from participating in employment programs. I also joined the leading Republican on the Committee in cosponsoring a bill to allow veterans to qualify for in-state tuition in any state they choose.
I am also advocating on behalf of Gold Star families harmed by the 2017 tax law. Together with a bipartisan group of cosponsors, I introduced the Gold Star Family Tax Relief Act, which would repeal an error in the 2017 tax reform bill that was causing some Gold Star families to pay thousands of dollars in additional taxes on their survivor benefits. This bill passed the House as part of a larger legislative package. With the support of Democrats, Republicans, and nonpartisan organizations, we are working to fix a flaw in our tax law and provide more financial security to America’s most heroic families.
More on Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Congresswoman Elaine Luria sent a letter to IRS Commissioner Charles P. Rettig to relay concerns that Gold Star Families are still waiting to receive refunds from their amended 2018 tax returns. Congresswoman Luria urged IRS to quickly process all outstanding refund requests, especially amended returns for 2018.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Reps. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) and Elaine Luria (D-Va.) led a letter to conferees for the annual defense bill, requesting the inclusion of their bipartisan measure to research and treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for veterans.
The United States-Israel PTSD Collaborative Research Act would leverage research and assets from both the U.S. and Israel for the research, diagnosis and treatment of PTSD. The legislation also creates a grant program for universities and private non-profits to research PTSD.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the Senate passed Congresswoman Elaine Luria's bipartisan bill, H.R. 6168, the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2020.
WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) Subcommittee Chair Elaine Luria presided over the Subcommittee’s oversight hearing to analyze the effects of airborne toxic exposures on veterans who served in Southwest Asia and how to improve access to health care for these veterans.
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Congresswoman Luria participated in a House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs markup on pending legislation that focuses on eliminating suicide among veterans, improving transparency and oversight at the VA, protecting employment and benefits for National Guard members, and enhancing research on prostate cancer.
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Congresswoman Luria joined nine of her colleagues in voicing their strong opposition to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper’s decision to eliminate Stars and Stripes and calling on the Department of Defense to protect the editorially independent publication that has provided news for millions of active-duty members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families since it was founded by Union soldiers in 1861.
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Congresswoman Luria participated in a House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing on pending legislation that focused on suicide prevention and ways to improve benefits for veterans. The Committee discussed Congresswoman Luria’s VA Research Technology Act, which seeks to improve the VA research office’s ability to conduct pivotal clinical trials to reduce and prevent veteran suicide.
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA— Today, Congresswoman Luria announced her support of H.R. 3582, which would require the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans (CMV) to include LGBT individuals in their efforts to advise the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on the administration of VA benefits for veterans who are minority group members.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Congresswoman Elaine Luria was at work in the Capitol, participating in a briefing on the situation aboard USS BONHOMME RICHARD, a subcommittee hearing to investigate sexual harassment in the Armed Forces, and a full committee markup of pending legislation to assist veterans.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Luria announces her support for the Homeless Veterans Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 7105), which would expand and strengthen Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) services for homeless veterans as we continue to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Yesterday, Congresswoman Luria participated in a full House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs legislative hearing to discuss legislation to improve transparency for victims of malpractice at VA medical facilities, require the VA to furnish dental care to veterans, and improve maternal and post-partum care at the VA.
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Yesterday, Congresswoman Luria participated in a full House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs legislative hearing to discuss legislation to improve transparency for victims of malpractice at VA medical facilities, require the VA to furnish dental care to veterans, and improve maternal and post-partum care at the VA.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) and Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) released the following statements after the U.S. House of Representatives adopted the TRICARE ECHO Improvement Act as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2021. Previously introduced in March by Reps.
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Yesterday, Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) subcommittee Chair Luria led an oversight hearing dedicated to ensuring that vulnerable veterans are given a fair VA character of discharge determination. VA character of discharge determinations impact benefit entitlement possibilities for veterans, and anything less than honorable leaves many without support after they return home.
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA — Congresswoman Luria joins a bipartisan group of her colleagues in a letter to Senate and House leadership advocating for the needs of our veterans, transitioning service members, and their families in the next COVID-19 legislative package.
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA - Today, Congresswoman Elaine Luria introduced the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act, which would allow TRICARE dependents to remain on their parents’ policy until age 26 without a premium increase.
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA - Today, Congresswoman Elaine Luria announced her support of legislation to both expand and make permanent the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) pilot program that provides counseling in retreat settings for women veterans coping with post-traumatic stress. Congresswoman Luria joins Chairwoman Julia Brownley, who leads the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, in supporting passage of the Building Supportive Networks for Women Veterans Act (H.R. 2798).
Congresswoman Luria Calls on Defense Health Agency to Cover Mental Telehealth Services Under TRICARE
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Congresswoman Luria joined a bipartisan group to call on Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Thomas McCaffery to allow mental telehealth services to be covered under TRICARE during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth services have been critical in providing patient treatment while states remain under various degrees of stay-at-home orders, particularly mental health services.
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Today, Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs subcommittee (DAMA) Chair Congresswoman Luria presided over the first virtual forum dedicated to discussing veterans’ disability medical examinations (DMEs) during the coronavirus pandemic.
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA - Today, House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) Chair Congresswoman Elaine Luria reflected on the legislative and oversight responsibilities of her subcommittee to honor fallen heroes and protect veterans on Memorial Day.
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – On Memorial Day, Chair of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, Congresswoman Elaine Luria, honored those who have served our country and reflected on those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Today, Congresswoman Elaine Luria joined fellow House Committee on Veterans Affairs (HVAC)’s Economic Opportunity Subcommittee members in a virtual roundtable to discuss the VA’s Loan Guaranty Service and the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on veterans’ home loans and veterans in her district.
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – This week, Congresswoman Elaine Luria sent a letter to House leadership to urge them to bring the Department of Veterans Affairs Website Accessibility Act (S. 746) to the floor for a vote in order to ensure disabled veterans have access to the benefits they have earned.
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Congresswoman Luria joined Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester in spearheading the introduction of a bill to help ensure military families and retirees have access to affordable prescription drugs while staying safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Congress considers legislation to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congresswoman Elaine Luria sent a letter urging House Leadership to temporarily eliminate copays for mail order prescription drugs through TRICARE.
In her letter, Congresswoman Luria argued temporarily eliminating copays for mail order prescription drugs would allow TRICARE beneficiaries to access their medication at no out of pocket cost while practicing social distancing.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Luria’s Veterans’ Compensation Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Act of 2020 and her Transparency for Student Veterans Act passed the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (HVAC) during markup, clearing the path for House passage of two critical initiatives to assist Virginia’s veterans.
This week, Congresswoman Elaine Luria supported the House passage of multiple pieces of legislation that would advance key priorities for veterans. These range from easing the financial burdens of Gold Star Families to increasing transparency at the VA.
The House passed the Gold Star Spouses and Spouses of Injured Servicemembers Leasing Relief Expansion Act. This bipartisan bill would provide much-needed financial relief to military families suffering from the loss or a catastrophic injury of a loved one.
WASHINGTON – Today Congresswoman Elaine Luria introduced the Military Pilot Cancer Incidence Study Act (H.R. 5858) with Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-11). This bipartisan bill would help the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Veterans Affairs fully understand the incidence of cancer diagnosis and mortality among pilots in the uniformed services in order to ensure access to quality preventative health care for servicemembers.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria had a productive week on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (HVAC) and the House Armed Services Committee (HASC). Over the last few days, the Congresswoman introduced a bill to give veterans more information higher education options, questioned Navy leadership about military readiness, and highlighted struggles that military sexual trauma (MST) survivors face as they pursue VA claims.
WASHINGTON – This week, Congresswoman Luria participated in the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs’ (HVAC) full committee hearing on veteran suicide. Throughout the hearing, Congresswoman Luria pressed VHA and medical officials for answers on the effectiveness of the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) work in preventing veteran suicides and on their ability to hire and retain quality personnel.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria today announced the House passage of H.J. Res 80, which would help veterans find quality and affordable dental care.
WASHINGTON – Today, House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) Chair Elaine Luria (VA-02) reflected on the legislative and oversight accomplishments of her subcommittee in 2019.
A 20-year Navy veteran who retired at the rank of Commander, Congresswoman Luria became the first-ever woman veteran from a military service branch to serve on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (HVAC), and the first to lead an HVAC Subcommittee.
HAMPTON ROADS – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today reflected on the importance of helping American veterans and on their importance to our Hampton Roads community.
A 20-year Navy veteran serving a district that is home to numerous military installations and over 100,000 veterans, Congresswoman Luria has been a staunch advocate for our nation’s veterans and military families. One of her top priorities is ensuring that all veterans have the resources they need to thrive after their service.
WASHINGTON – Two months before a comprehensive new law for Vietnam veterans goes into effect, House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) Chair Elaine Luria (VA-02) today pressed top VA officials on implementation efforts, identifying gaps that need to be filled.
WASHINGTON – House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) Chair Elaine Luria (VA-02) today led her panel in a bipartisan legislative hearing on bills that would help veterans.
WASHINGTON – The House today passed Congresswoman Elaine Luria’s (VA-02) bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study and submit a plan to Congress that would make VA websites accessible for veterans affected by blindness or hearing loss.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) recently met with David Collins, the new director of the Hampton VA Medical Center (HVAMC).
Congresswoman Luria was glad to hear Director Collins intends to set his sights on improved access for patient care, reduced wait times, and increased patient satisfaction for veterans living in the Hampton Roads region.
VIRGINIA BEACH – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today attended and gave remarks at the Grow with Google & United Service Organizations (USO) Training in Virginia Beach. Representatives from USO and Google facilitated networking opportunities and workshops to help participants develop their skills, find jobs, and grow their careers.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today announced the President has signed into law her bipartisan bill that would put more money in the pockets of American veterans.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) this week led a bipartisan letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, urging him to immediately bring up the House-passed SECURE Act for a vote on the Senate floor.
WASHINGTON – House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) Chair Elaine Luria (VA-02) today led an oversight hearing on VA’s contract exam process, specifically emphasizing its impact on rural veterans, including her constituents on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
VIRGINIA BEACH – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) spoke Friday at a meeting of the Hampton Roads Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (HRCMOAA), describing her efforts to help servicemembers, military families, and veterans to an audience of local retired military officers, spouses, and guests.
Congresswoman Elaine Luria Speaks at Grand Opening Ceremony for New Military Clinic at The Up Center
VIRGINIA BEACH – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today spoke at the grand opening of the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at The Up Center, giving remarks on the importance of caring for our veterans and military families.
Text of Congresswoman Luria’s remarks are below, and a photograph from the event is attached.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today announced the House of Representatives approved a pair of her amendments as part of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to help servicemembers and their families.
These include an amendment to ensure that the men and women who educate the children of military families are not subject to unfair taxation and another to encourage continued research that is occurring within the Navy’s Wound Care Research Program.
WASHINGTON – The House today passed a bipartisan bill that includes Congresswoman Elaine Luria’s provision to ensure blinded veterans receive housing accommodations they need to live independently.
WASHINGTON – This week, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs unanimously adopted an amendment introduced by Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) to ensure that blind veterans get the housing adaptations they need to live independently at home and with their families.
“Blind veterans sacrificed for America,” Congresswoman Luria said. “They deserve equal access to important opportunities for growth and independence, and I am honored to champion their cause. It’s great news that the Committee unanimously moved our amendment forward.”
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) this week secured language in a House-passed funding bill directing the Department of Defense (DoD) and other agencies to prioritize important issues related to military readiness, renewable energy, and veteran assistance.
WASHINGTON – House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) Chairwoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) on Thursday led a legislative and oversight hearing to help ensure access to disability benefits for veteran survivors of military sexual trauma (MST).
The Subcommittee discussed H.R. 1092, the Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2019, a bill that would expand health care and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for MST.
WASHINGTON – House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) Chairwoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today praised this week’s unanimous Senate passage of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act. In May, Congresswoman Luria spoke on the House floor and voted in support of this bipartisan bill that she proudly cosponsored. The House passed the bill 410-0.
WASHINGTON – In passing the SECURE Act today, the House pushed through a fix first introduced by Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) that would provide urgent relief to Gold Star Families impacted by the 2017 tax law that caused America’s most heroic families to see drastic tax increases.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today announced that the number of service, veteran, and survivor organizations to offer their support for H.R. 2481, the Gold Star Family Tax Relief Act, climbed to 20. This is in addition to 155 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle and the formal endorsement of a bipartisan veterans caucus in Congress.
WASHINGTON – Today at a press conference on Capitol Hill, Congresswoman Elaine Luria spoke on behalf of Gold Star Families and her bipartisan bill that would provide tax relief to survivors of the fallen.
Congresswoman Luria’s Gold Star Family Tax Relief Act, H.R. 2481, would fix a consequence of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that is causing Gold Star Families to see drastic tax increases.
WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives today passed Congresswoman Elaine Luria's (VA-02) bipartisan bill that would put more money in the pockets of American veterans.
The Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Act of 2019, H.R. 1200, passed by voice vote and is Congresswoman Luria’s first bill to clear the full House. (VIDEO here.)
WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today announced that key veterans service organizations — including the American Legion, Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and Military Officers Association of America — have endorsed her Gold Star Family Tax Relief Act, marking new momentum for a bill that has garnered 124 cosponsors and the endorsement of a bipartisan veterans caucus in Congress.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria’s (VA-02) Gold Star Family Tax Relief Act (H.R. 2481) has received the formal endorsement of the For Country Caucus and now has 100 cosponsors.
The Gold Star Family Tax Relief Act will fix a consequence of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that is causing Gold Star Families to see drastic tax increases.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) announced she will serve as Vice Chair and co-founder of the Servicewomen and Women Veterans Congressional Caucus (SWWV).
Following the record-setting arrival of four women veterans in the House – the largest number ever – the formation of the caucus is intended to foster collaboration among House members and address issues facing America’s servicewomen and women veterans.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today participated in her first full-committee bill markup as a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would repeal a tax hike first established by the hastily-passed 2017 Republican tax law, forcing some Gold Star Families to pay thousands of additional dollars in taxes on survivor benefits.
Spouses of the fallen sometimes sign over earned benefits to their children to ensure the family receives all the benefits.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today announced an additional staff hire as her team expands in Virginia’s Second Congressional District. The new hire, Terra Johnson, will serve as a Wounded Warrior Fellow in Congresswoman Luria’s Virginia Beach office.
The Wounded Warrior Fellowship Program was established by the House of Representatives to provide opportunities for wounded or disabled veterans to work in Congress.
WASHINGTON – Today in a House Veterans’ Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee hearing, Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) highlighted her sharp focus on improving VA programs that train and counsel veterans seeking civilian jobs after their service.
WASHINGTON – Five weeks after first asking about the status of healthcare benefits for thousands of Blue Water Navy Veterans of the Vietnam War without getting an answer, Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02), Chair of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA), again pressed VA Secretary Robert Wilkie for an update on extending benefits to Blue Water Navy Veterans.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today announced she is an original cosponsor of bipartisan legislation that would increase accountability and oversight over private contractor-provided housing for military families, which have suffered from serious health, safety, and environmental problems.
WASHINGTON – In order to ensure our nation’s veterans receive the benefits they have earned, House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) Chairwoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) introduced a bipartisan bill to provide a cost-of-living adjustment to veterans.
The legislation is cosponsored by DAMA Ranking Member Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12).
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today was named Vice Chair of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, a critical position for the Hampton Roads region.
“I’m proud to take leadership roles that will produce bipartisan solutions for active-duty military and veterans,” Congresswoman Luria said. “With jurisdiction over maritime programs, shipbuilding, and more, the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee is crucial to the Hampton Roads community, and I am honored to serve in this capacity.”