Taking Care of Our Veterans & Military Families

Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-17) released the following statement regarding the announcement of a 2.8 percent increase in the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security recipients: “Social Security has been our nation’s most effective anti-poverty program for senior citizens and Americans with disabilities. “The Social Security COLA increase of 2.8…

House Appropriations Committee Member Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-17) released the following statement regarding final passage Wednesday of the two-bill, fiscal year 2019 “minibus” appropriations bill and a Continuing Resolution to fund remaining unfunded parts of the federal government through December 7, 2018 (in order to avoid a partial government shutdown). “I am…

Bethlehem, PA– Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded $138,397 to Northampton Community College through the Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training (CMVOST) Grant program.   The grant will enable Northampton Community College to offer free commercial truck driver training to current and former…

U.S. Congressman Matt Cartwright made the following statement regarding President Trump’s executive orders aimed at federal workforce unions. The president’s three executive orders would: --Restrict time spent by union officials on employee and workplace issues. --Shorten collective bargaining time for workers to negotiate with management and potentially make collective…

Wilkes-Barre, PA – Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced that Wilkes-Barre Housing Authority has received a $35,791 federal grant from U.S. Housing and Urban Development in a continued effort to end veteran homelessness. These funds will be used to help homeless veterans obtain affordable housing in their communities. Every year since 2008, HUD and VA have awarded…

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright expressed his gratitude to the Arlington National Cemetery command, a subdivision of the Army, for its assistance in establishing on monument to the service and sacrifice of Vietnam War helicopter pilots and crewmembers.  The new monument will be dedicated at Arlington Cemetery at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18, in a ceremony at the Memorial…

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (D-PA-17) introduced bipartisan legislation that would provide veterans with greater access to mental health resources. The Veterans Mental Health Accessibility Act would allow veterans to seek treatment for service-connected mental illnesses regardless of when their conditions manifest themselves. Currently, Operation Enduring Freedom…

Today, President Donald Trump signed into law a bill introduced by U.S. Representative Mat Cartwright (PA-17) that would protect older, low-income veterans who require assisted care. H.R. 3122, the Veterans Care Financial Protection Act, directs the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to work with other federal agencies and states to develop and implement standards that protect veterans…

Last week, the U.S. Senate passed by unanimous consent the Veterans Care Financial Protection Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Representatives Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Jim Renacci (R-Ohio), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), and Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) and Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). A modified version of the bill previously passed the House…

Last week, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright introduced a bipartisan bill to fund and advance orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) research for veterans. The Wounded Warrior Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 4587) would establish the first centralized collection of outcomes-based research on O&P. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) serves approximately 40,000 individuals with limb…