11.11.18

Senator Hoeven Statement Marking 100th Anniversary of Signing of Armistice Ending World War I and Honoring Veterans

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, today issued the following statement to mark the 100th anniversary of the signing of the armistice ending World War I and in observance of Veterans Day.

“Our nation would not be free were it not for our courageous veterans who have risked their lives to preserve our liberty and way of life. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the armistice ending World War I, reminding us of the origins of Veterans Day and how men and women have for generations answered the call to serve our country. Today, we commemorate our veterans and honor their legacies.

“The gratitude we owe our veterans extends beyond Veterans Day celebrations. This summer, I joined the president as he signed the VA MISSION Act, which improves on the Veterans Choice Program and gives veterans more options near their home communities when seeking health care. We cannot show enough gratitude to our veterans, but in this and other ways, we can honor their bravery and service. Our veterans are the greatest in the world, and it is because of their efforts that America is the greatest nation the world has ever known.”

Senator Hoeven continues to work to advance legislation and initiatives to help veterans in North Dakota and throughout the country. Some of those efforts include:

  • VA MISSION Act – The senator joined the president earlier this year as he signed the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act. The bill improves on the Veterans Choice Program and includes key provisions from Hoeven legislation to increase veterans’ access to long-term care options in their home communities.
  • Veterans Choice Program and Veterans Care Coordination Initiative – In 2016, Senator Hoeven worked to implement the Veterans Care Coordination initiative at the Fargo VA Health Center, which has helped to significantly reduce wait times for North Dakota veterans in coordinating their health care services through the Veterans Choice Program. Hoeven recently urged TriWest, the nationwide third party administrator for the Veterans Choice Program, to maintain the Veterans Care Coordination initiative at the Fargo VA.
  • Strong Funding to Support Veterans and Increase Health Care Options Closer to Home – In the Fiscal Year 2019 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill, Senator Hoeven worked to include funding to support veterans and provide quality health care options closer to home.
  • Expanded Flight-Training Programs for Veterans – Senator Hoeven introduced the American Aviator Act, bipartisan legislation to support flight-training services to assist veterans who want to become commercial airline pilots.

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