Military & Veterans' Affairs

Keeping Our Nation’s Promises to Military Veterans and Retirees

As a senior member of the House Committee on Armed Services, Mike is a leading champion for our military veterans and retirees. Mike fights for strengthened health benefits for our veterans and retirees, and he believes that disabled veterans should receive retirement pay concurrent with disability pay. Military retirees should also be allowed to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan. As a nation, we must ensure that our military personnel receive the benefits they deserve and have the resources they need to perform their jobs. That is why Mike authored the Veterans Outreach Improvement Act, designed to help veterans cut through the bureaucratic red tape and get access to the services they need and have earned. Additionally, Mike is adamantly opposed to raising TRICARE fees on military retirees and continues to support legislation that would prevent current and future increase.

Mike continues to support an annual Military Construction and VA Appropriations bill that meets the increasing needs of our veterans. Mike remains committed to strengthening the veterans’ health service available in Southeastern North Carolina. Thanks to Mike’s work, the VA has committed to open clinics in Robeson and New Hanover counties, and he continues to fight for a Brunswick County Community-Based Outpatient Clinic that was promised by the VA.

Protecting the Homeland

Mike knows that a strong national defense is absolutely necessary to protect our nation both at home and abroad. As a member of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities; and the Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces, Mike has spent time with our troops from all branches of our armed forces both here in the U.S. and overseas. As Co-Chairman of the Special Forces Caucus, he fights to help our men and women in uniform in every way possible.

Recently, the House Armed Services Committee, of which Mike is a member, has reviewed the defense budget request for 2011 which includes a military pay raise, $1.4 billion for NC military construction, a significant housing allowance increase, and no increase in healthcare fees.