Paying Back the Debt: Capitol Solutions

Press Release

We honor our veterans on November 11th -- Veterans Day. Do you know why? Major fighting during World War I or "The Great War" ended during the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. As a result, Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11th as the first commemoration of Armistice Day.

An Act was approved years later on May 13, 1938, making the 11th of November an annual federal holiday -- known as Armistice Day. In 1954, it was renamed Veterans Day -- making it a day to honor American veterans from all wars and conflicts.

We are proud 228,000 veterans call Iowa home and continue to contribute greatly to our great state. They are our parents and children, our neighbors and our friends. They are irreplaceable in our communities throughout the state, and though we set aside this day to recognize their service, our appreciation cannot be reserved for only one day.

Our Iowa heroes help make up the 21 million veterans nationwide - veterans who have served from World War II to the Korean War, from Vietnam to Iraq to Afghanistan, and in so many other conflicts and missions to protect our country and freedom around the globe.

As I work in Congress to advance legislation helping those who have served, I remain committed to ensuring our veterans, service members, and their families have access to the information and resources they need.

Because it is our responsibility to live up to the promises made to our service members and our veterans, I've been willing to work with any member of Congress to uphold our promises and right the wrongs where the federal government is failing them. After hearing from a constituent who had called the Veterans Crisis Line desperately seeking help, but who never was connected to a live person, I introduced the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act.

The Veterans Crisis Line is the confidential, toll free hotline for veterans seeking help and crisis resources from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs responders. My bipartisan legislation is now law and veterans calls are answered when the phone rings. This is just one of the many things I've done to pay back the debt we owe our veterans.

Ultimately, our men and women in uniform, and their families, have sacrificed a great deal in defense of our freedoms. It is one of my greatest honors to recognize the dedication of generations of our brave veterans, the men and women who continue to serve our country, and their families who make great sacrifices through their service. Join me in recognizing their commitment, for we are forever thankful.

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