"Today and every day, I commit to honor the service of Virginia's 840,000 military veterans by working to ensure they are treated with the respect they have earned. 

That's why I supported bipartisan legislation to expand resources at the V-A and provide veterans with more healthcare choices. However, money alone will not solve the systemic challenges within the V-A, and I will continue to work with the V-A to change the culture within the agency to ensue our veterans get the care and support they deserve.

Too many veterans wait too long for healthcare services, and I was pleased to amend bipartisan legislation this year to allow I-T professionals from leading Virginia companies to provide the V-A with a free, expert assessment of their customer service challenges.  

Too many veterans spend too much time chasing paperwork and battling the V-A bureaucracy, so I have championed an innovative program at the William & Mary law school which puts students to work for free helping veterans file completed disability claims. We've expanded the William & Mary pro bono model to 15 law schools across the country.

And when America's female veterans encountered unreasonable hurdles to access V-A services they deserved, I worked with the V-A to make it easier for our military women to get treatment for PTSD and other combat-related challenges.  

When I think about veterans, I think about my 88-year-old father. He was a Marine in World War II who fought at Iwo Jima. Like all who have served America, my dad is a hero who serves to be treated with honor. Today and every day, I extend my respect and appreciation to each of our military veterans and the families across Virginia who have supported them."