Taking Care of Our Veterans & Military Families

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright applauded the swift, unanimous House passage of H.R. 203, the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act – bipartisan legislation originally introduced in the 113th Congress – to address the epidemic of suicide among our nation’s veterans.  “One veteran lost to suicide is one veteran too…

Today U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright introduced a bipartisan resolution that seeks to amend the House Rules to require a reading of the names of members of the Armed Forces who died in the previous month as a result of combat operations.  The resolution was introduced with the support of 28 Republicans and 21 Democrats. “For the many in the world to live free we must rely…

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright applauded the unanimous House passage of bipartisan legislation to address the epidemic of suicide among our nation’s veterans.  “One veteran lost to suicide is one veteran too many,” said Rep. Cartwright.  “This bipartisan legislation provides our heroes the care and support they have earned and deserve to…

 Last week U.S. Representatives Matt Cartwright (PA-17), Blake Farenthold (TX-27), and Alcee Hastings (FL-20) introduced the bipartisan Veterans Care Financial Protection Act of 2014.  The legislation would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to work with other federal agencies and states to address a myriad of scams that target low-income, older…

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright released the following statement after Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) published a new regulation that authorizes the Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) to operate prescription drug take-back programs:  “The rule published today will enable the DoD and VA to operate…

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (D-PA-17) introduced the Wounded Warrior Research Enhancement Act.  U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) has introduced similar legislation in the Senate.   “Our nation’s brave warfighters served in Afghanistan and Iraq with honor and distinction.  Unfortunately, over 1,700 soldiers have suffered combat-related…

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced that the Gino J. Merli Veterans Center in Scranton will receive $589,823 from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The funds will go towards the cost to replace the center’s nurse call system and to upgrade the elopement system, a patient wandering management system.  “We have a growing number of military veterans in…

Today, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright introduced the bipartisan Skills Gap Strategy Act of 2014, with the support of Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8).  The legislation would require the Department of Labor (DOL) to develop a strategy report that provides recommendations to address the national skills gap – defined as the difference between the current supply of labor and skills of the…

U.S. Congressman Matt Cartwright will hold his first Schuylkill County “Coffee with your Congressman” in Pottsville on Monday, April 28, 2014.  The event is a casual, come-and-go opportunity for constituents to visit directly with the Congressman.  This is a part of an ongoing series of events Congressman Cartwright will hold across the Seventeenth District…

 Last week, U.S. Congressmen Matt Cartwright (D-PA-17) and Blake Farenthold (R-TX-27) introduced H.R. 3714, the bipartisan Servicemembers and Veterans Prescription Drug Safety Act, which aims to decrease accidental drug overdoses among servicemembers and veterans by implementing prescription drug take-back programs.  Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate…