September 16, 2014

Michaud Calls on President Obama to Move toward National Veterans Strategy

Washington D.C.  – U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud (D-ME), Ranking Member on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, called on President Obama today to convene a working group around the formation of a National Veterans Strategy. Michaud is calling for a national strategy to re-affirm the nation’s obligation to veterans, identify the principles and priorities in ensuring a broad support system for returning and transitioning service members, and define the fundamental outcomes for veterans expected from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“I’ve had good conversations with Secretary McDonald, my colleagues here in Congress and members of the veterans support community about how we move forward for the benefit of veterans and the nation,” said Michaud. “It’s very important that everyone has a seat at the table as we discuss these issues – particularly veterans and their families, Veterans Service Organizations, Congress, the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, Labor and Housing and Urban Development, and others.  That’s why I believe the President should move quickly to establish a working group that can inform and guide reform efforts. We need a carefully thought-out framework to keep us on track as we move toward the goal of improving outcomes for our veterans.”

Over the last month, Rep. Michaud has offered a number of ideas as a starting point for a conversation around what the National Veterans Strategy could look like.  Michaud’s recommendations include moving the Department’s culture in a direction that is more geared towards acknowledging and meeting individual veteran’s needs; partnering more effectively with non-governmental organizations to improve outcomes; streamlining regional services to prevent specific veterans or cases from slipping through the cracks; and dramatically boosting accountability and transparency.

In Rep. Michaud’s letter to the President, the Ranking Member cites numerous other national strategies that shape and inform policy across the government:

“We have over a dozen national strategies, addressing everything from national security to public health to wildlife trafficking. Many of these strategies set the conditions for the work and service required by our nation’s current and future veterans.  If we can establish national strategies that create the need for military service, do we not have an obligation to establish a strategy that ensures support for those who deliver that service?

“….Right now, we have a unique opportunity to shape a support system that will more successfully meet the needs of our continually changing veterans’ population.  Now is the time to ensure that both civilians and veterans in our country understand the nation’s commitment to those who defend our freedom.”

The full letter is available online here.

Rep. Michaud most recently met with Secretary Bob McDonald to discuss the status of reforms last Thursday.