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Representative Connolly Cosponsors IAVA-Backed Women Veterans Legislation
WASHINGTON, DC (August 16, 2018) – Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the leading voice of the Post-9/11 generation of veterans, is proud to announce that U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) has become a cosponsor of the Deborah Sampson Act (S. 681/H.R. 2452), the centerpiece of IAVA’s #SheWhoBorneTheBattle campaign to recognize the service of women veterans.
Rep. Gerry Connolly has served in the House of Representatives since 2009, representing Virginia’s 11th District, which includes Fairfax and Prince William Counties. He currently serves as a senior member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, as well as the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
“Throughout the 115th Congress, IAVA has made it one of our top priorities to recognize the service of, and fill gaps in VA care for, women veterans,” said IAVA Founder and CEO Paul Rieckhoff. “We appreciate having Rep. Connolly’s support for advancing this piece of historic bipartisan legislation.”
“I am honored to co-sponsor the Deborah Sampson Act to ensure that our women veterans receive recognition and support that is long overdue. As far back as the Revolution, women have stood shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts on battlefields around the world, placing themselves in harm’s way in defense of this country. The time is long overdue for our female veterans who are separating or are newly separated from service, especially those who have suffered service-related sexual trauma or who are at risk of becoming homeless, to have access to the integrated services that are needed and to receive the recognition they deserve. Our nation owes them no less,” said Congressman Gerry Connolly.
The Deborah Sampson Act, sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT), now has 73 House cosponsors, plus 29 in the Senate. The Deborah Sampson Act and our #SheWhoBornTheBattle campaign is among IAVA’s Big Six priorities for 2018, including Suicide Prevention, Government Reform, #DefendTheGIBill, Burn Pits/Toxic Exposure Injury Support, and Medicinal Cannabis Use for Veterans.