How we'll honor our veterans

Tennessee is called the Volunteer State because of the historic commitment of our men and women to American military service. A question we must ask ourselves as a state is: are we serving them as well as they are serving us? 

 

The evidence suggests that we have more work to do. In Tennessee, veterans are twice as likely to commit suicide as non-veterans. And though we've made progress, we still have veterans who are homeless in our community.

 

Every veteran who serves honorably in the United States military should have the right to world-class health care, a job, and housing upon their return.

 

I will work with my colleagues to:

 

• Build a 21st-century Department of Veterans Affairs to deliver world-class care. It's unacceptable that veterans have to wait weeks, months, and sometimes years to see a doctor or to process disability claims and appeals. I will oppose efforts to privatize the VA, but I will work to ensure veterans have access to a full range of world-class health care services no matter where they live.
   

• Improve and strengthen the Post-9/11 GI Bill. We must further expand tax credits for veterans’ employment and increase veteran entrepreneurship programs, and create new pathways for veterans to enter growing career fields—particularly in digital technology and cybersecurity. 
   

• Increase economic and educational benefits for military spouses and children. We must create more flexible service options to better facilitate modern families. We must also expand employment support and training initiatives while in service and during the transition to civilian life. And finally, we must increase the quality of military schools throughout the globe.