“Veterans are American patriots and they deserve honor and respect. Supporting our veterans must be a top priority for our government. As your congressman, I will fight to continue reforming the VA and for greater access to private healthcare to ensure our veterans get the services they earned and deserve.”
--Dan Meuser
Background
I grew up in a typical middle class family. My dad was a detective in the police department and my mom stayed home with us until we went to school and then rejoined the workforce. It was in this home, the son of a police officer, that I learned about the dignity of hard work, the value of public service and the importance of helping others.
After high school, I attended the New York Maritime University and transferred to Cornell on a Navy ROTC scholarship.
Ready To Serve
When President Donald J. Trump contacted Congressman Lou Barletta, encouraging him to run for the U.S. Senate, Lou encouraged me to run for his congressional seat; he recognized the need for strong, experienced business people in Washington D.C. I understand we need problem-solvers in the U.S. Congress who will work to Drain the Swamp. I believe my years of both public and private sector experience focusing on results, not rhetoric, is what is needed both in Washington D.C. and here in the District.
I am humbled and honored to have the endorsement of Vets for Trump and the support of many brave warriors who fought for us, including John “Tig” Tiegen, a hero who fought in Benghazi.
I am running on an America First Agenda. I believe we need people in Congress to help the President enact his agenda, rather than people who are obstructionists who will get in the way of Making America Great Again.
Prioritizing Our Veterans
We cannot put America First unless we put those who fight for our rights first, and that means our veterans. Our veterans stepped up to serve us, some have done so in combat, and they deserve a Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) system that will not fail them.
Veterans Choice Act
Veterans should not have to wait for healthcare services, you should be at the front of the line every time for your healthcare needs. I support the Veterans Choice Act that was recently extended by President Trump and allows vets facing lengthy wait times at VA facilities or living over 40 miles from the nearest VA to seek care in the private sector. In Congress, I will fight to continue to expand this program and allow more access to private care for veterans.
Accountability
We must end the bureaucracy at the VA and, importantly, implement systems that are user-friendly for veterans and/or caregivers using the latest technologies. I also support the ability to fire underperforming, corrupt and/or incompetent VA employees and putting an end to waste, fraud and abuse.
Increase Mental Health Support/Suicide Prevention Services
Recent VA reports indicate nearly one veteran commits suicide an hour. I believe we need to allocate stronger resources towards mental health, veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and from Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and that we should support beneficial combat veteran peer-to-peer programs and ensure expedited mental health care accessibility.
Veteran Employment Opportunities
Veterans are not looking for handouts, you are looking for hand ups; job opportunities. We owe it to veterans to do everything we can to help you get on a path to success as you leave active duty, whether corporate positions or in the trades. We must support existing programs that work or replace them with ones that are more effective.
Reduce Disability Backlog
Veterans should not be waiting in a backlog for years for their disability ratings. We must reduce the backlog, and get claims right the first time in order to prevent veterans from having to appeal cases, and, a key part of the reductions, also work to link the branch of service computer systems with the VA’s systems in order to expedite the processing of medical history records wherever possible and to reduce the burden on the veteran
Of course, there are many additional issues that are important to veterans, and I welcome hearing from you and your membership about what needs to be prioritized.
God Bless Our Troops.
