Media

Senator Peters Cosponsors IAVA-Backed Women Veterans Legislation

August 16, 2018
Press

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. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) 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.

Elected to the Senate in 2014 after serving in the House since 2009, Peters sits on the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee, which is charged with oversight of the U.S. military, personnel, and national defense priorities. He also served in the U.S. Navy Reserve between 1993 and 2005, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

“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. “Having served in the U.S. Navy, Sen. Peters knows the importance of ensuring that our healthcare programs reflect the changing face of the U.S. military, and we’re excited to call him one of our supporters of this landmark campaign.”

“Women are serving in uniform in greater numbers than ever before, and we must repay their service and sacrifice by ensuring women veterans can get the health care and services they earned,” said Senator Peters, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. “I’m proud to support this bipartisan legislation that will help close gaps in care and provide critical support services to the women who served our country as they transition back to civilian life.”

The Deborah Sampson Act, sponsored by Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT) and John Boozman (R-AR), now has 29 Senate cosponsors, plus 73 in the House. 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.