As the daughter of a career servicemember who retired after more than 40 years in the United States Air Force, I know first-hand that supporting our veterans with world-class health care, strong pension benefits, and the tools to smoothly transition to civilian life are just as important as ensuring that we continue to have the strongest military in the world.

In the United States, those who have put themselves in harm’s way to protect their fellow Americans should never be without the care and support they need.

Here is what I intend to continue fighting for:

● Provide our veterans with the best possible health care. In Congress, I have led efforts to strengthen the VA, increase access to suicide prevention for veterans, invest in PTSD research, and make care for veterans more affordable. I was also proud to help pass the PACT Act, which provides health care coverage to veterans exposed to toxic chemicals and burn pits, and we need to continue expanding the conditions covered for veterans after they return home from serving their country.

● Invest in mental health care for veterans. In Congress, I have led efforts to support the VA, increase access to suicide prevention for veterans, invest in PTSD research, and make care for veterans more affordable. In addition, I am a National Ambassador for the PREVENTS task force at the Department of Veterans Affairs, which works to prevent suicide among veterans and all Americans.

● Protect the G.I. Bill. Congress must ensure the G.I. Bill — and the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, which guarantees that all post-9/11 veterans have an opportunity to earn a college education — is continually appropriated the resources it needs to fund its goals.

● Support female veterans. We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the increasingly large number of women who serve on the front lines of our military. I have been at the forefront of fighting to ensure women veterans have the unique support they need when it comes to legal services, child care, medical care, and access to housing. My bill, the Improving Legal Services for Female Veterans Act, was signed into law addressing these needs. In addition, I am a proud member of the Servicewomen and Women Veterans Congressional Caucus, which takes a holistic approach to advocating for the interests of women veterans.

● Advocate for LGBTQ+ veterans & service members. The politicization of funding our military is entirely inappropriate and unacceptable. Nothing should come ahead of protecting our troops–– and that includes from discrimination and bigotry within the U.S. military. So long as I am in Congress I will continue to advocate for fair, just, and equal treatment for all U.S. service members regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.

● Support military families. I intimately know the tremendous sacrifices made by the loved ones of those in uniform. In Congress, I have worked to support military spouses and children in their pursuit of education and jobs. I have voted to protect military families from fraud and to fund programs to get our veterans experiencing homelessness off the streets. I am also leading the bill that would protect IVF and fertility treatment access nationwide, and I have heard from many military families who now fear that they will be stationed in a state that tries to restrict or ban the treatment. I will continue fighting to ensure they do not have to shoulder that fear at the same time they are concerned about the safety and wellbeing of their loved ones serving in uniform.