Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick Highlights Record Drop in Veteran Homelessness Achieved Under Biden-Harris Administration
Lowest Rate on Record Marks Hopeful Future for Our Nation’s Veterans
Tamarac, FL — Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick praised the Biden-Harris Administration for achieving a historic milestone: the lowest rate of veteran homelessness ever recorded. As a Veteran’s Affair Committee member, Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick highlighted the Administration's efforts and local programs that contributed to this life-changing outcome for countless veterans nationwide and in Florida.
"Our veterans deserve our utmost respect for their bravery and sacrifices, and that includes ensuring they have a safe place to call home," said Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. “Today, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness announced a record low in veteran homelessness on Veterans Day. This momentous achievement reflects the commitment of the Biden-Harris administration and congressional Democrats to support the men and women who served our country. Still, much more work must be done – one homeless veteran is one too many."
Through federal initiatives like the HUD-VASH program, support for rapid rehousing, and expanded access to healthcare and employment resources, the Biden-Harris Administration has demonstrated a renewed focus on uplifting veterans and breaking down the barriers to safe, stable housing. This record low in homelessness results from dedicated policy action and comprehensive on-the-ground support from countless local organizations, shelters, and veteran advocates.
In Florida, where veteran homelessness has been a persistent challenge, Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick has worked alongside local agencies and the Department of Veterans Affairs to champion increased funding and resources for housing programs and support services. “Our veterans shouldn’t face homelessness after risking so much in service to our country,” she said. “Today’s achievement brings us closer to a future where every veteran has the support they need to thrive.”
Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick remains committed to delivering for our veterans by driving forward additional policies to reduce further veteran homelessness, including affordable housing, quality healthcare, and employment opportunities tailored for veterans.
***Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick’s Veterans Legislation during this 118th Congress***
PASSED - Healthy Foundations for Homeless Veterans Act (H.R. 645) with Ranking Member of the VA Committee Mark Takano (D-CA)
This bill permanently authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to use specified funding to provide assistance to homeless veterans and veterans participating in the Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program. Additionally, the VA may collaborate with one or more organizations to manage the use of VA land for homeless veterans for living and sleeping.
This bill was incorporated into the Housing our Military Veterans Effectively Act (H.R. 3848), which passed the House of Representatives on December 5, 2023.
INTRODUCED - Department of Veterans Affairs Therapeutic Medical Physicist Pay Cap Relief Act (H.R. 6800) with Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA)
The Department of Veterans Affairs Therapeutic Medical Physicist Pay Cap Relief Act would eliminate the pay cap for therapeutic medical physicists (TMPs), delivering higher quality care to veterans, improving TMP recruitment and retention, and lowering total costs for the VA. Over the past 15 years, TMP salaries have increased nationwide as radiation therapy has become more sophisticated and more common. However, VA TMPs earn approximately $40,000 less than their private sector counterparts ― forcing the VA to overspend on contracted TMP services, which could be done more reliably in-house and at a much lower cost.
INTRODUCED - Historically Underserved Veterans Inclusion Act (H.R. 4325)
The Historically Underserved Veterans Inclusion Act would extend the reach of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Minority Veterans (CMV) and the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans (ACMV) to ensure all veterans receive equitable service from the VA regardless of race, origin, religion, or gender.
The scope of CMV and ACMV would be extended to include minority and historically underserved veterans including those:
of Middle Eastern or North African descent
who identify as belonging to more than one race or ethnicity
who are LGBTQ+
who belong to a religious minority
who have language barriers
lack U.S. citizenship status.
INTRODUCED - Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act (H.R. 9399) with Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ)
This bill creates a three-year pilot program to better coordinate, navigate, and manage healthcare benefits for veterans enrolled in both systems by assigning a case manager to develop individualized healthcare plans that best suit the needs of that veteran as well as ensure the proper delivery of those services.
INTRODUCED - Scheduling for Community Health and Easy Data to Understand for Legislators to Evaluate Services (SCHEDULES) Act (H.R. 7136)with Rep. Scott Franklin (R-FL)
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a standard for timing between the date on which a referral for VA care is entered into the VA's system and the date on which an appointment for care occurs, whether at a VA facility or through care in the community.
The VA must publish the standard in the Federal Register and on a publicly accessible VA website. Additionally, the VA must submit a report at least quarterly on the number and percentage of referrals that meet the new timing standard.
CO-LED - Counting Veterans’ Cancer Act of 2024 (H.R. 7091) with Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA)
This legislation requires the Veterans’ Health Administration to share national cancer data with state cancer registries. Additionally, the bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to assist registries in sharing veteran cancer data with the VA, ensuring maximum cooperation between federal and state agencies.
Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick serves on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization and as a Member of the Subcommittee on Health.
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