Iraq, Afghanistan & National Security
More on Iraq, Afghanistan & National Security
Congresswoman Waters joined Congressman Russ Carnahan (D-MO) and other members in introducing legislation today to protect veterans' rights to mental healthcare treatment and services. The "Veterans Mental Health Accessibility Act" is also supported by the AMVETS service organization.
The Veterans Mental Health Accessibility Act would eliminate a five year window to seek mental health treatment, allowing veterans who served in combat from all military operations to seek treatment for service-connected mental illnesses, regardless of when their conditions manifest themselves.
Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters introduced the "Ensuring Quality Education for Veterans Act," which would protect student veterans from bad actors within the for-profit college industry. The bill would include veterans' benefits under the 90/10 rule of the Higher Education Act of 1965, thereby removing an incentive for unscrupulous actors in the for-profit education industry to exploit the nation's veterans.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), founder of the Out of Iraq Caucus, issued the following statement in response to President Obama's announcement that all U.S. troops will be removed from Iraq by the end of this year:
"As founder of the Out of Iraq Caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives, I salute President Obama for fulfilling his commitment to responsibly end the war in Iraq. Today's announcement that all remaining U.S. troops will return from Iraq by the end of 2011 is a welcome development that will surely warm the hearts of many families this holiday season.
The House of Representatives adopted an amendment offered by Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) today to H.R. 754, Intelligence Authorization Act. The Congresswoman's amendment requires the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community to report to Congress on racial and ethnic diversity in the intelligence community. She offered the following statement from the House floor in support of her amendment:
Four liberal California Democrats are among the lawmakers urging a 'significant' reduction in U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan no later than July as a result of Osama bin Laden's death. President Obama has said he wants to start withdrawals this summer but numbers are still being discussed.
Four liberal California House members are among a group of lawmakers pushing for a "near term and significant" drawdown of U.S. troops in Afghanistan no later than July in the wake of Osama bin Laden's death.
"In the wake of Osama Bin Laden's death, now is the time to shift toward the swift, safe, and responsible withdrawal of U.S. troops and military contractors from Afghanistan," members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus wrote to President Obama on Wednesday.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) issued the following statement after President Obama announced late last night that Osama bin Laden was killed in a raid by U.S. military and intelligence personnel:
"The death of Osama bin Laden, almost a decade after he orchestrated the murder of 3,000 innocent American citizens and foreign nationals, is a significant milestone and a welcome development in our fight against al Qaeda.
By Pete Kasperowicz
House Democrats on Thursday night were trying to end the war in Afghanistan by pressing for an amendment that limits military spending in that country.
Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) proposed an amendment that would only allow $10 billion to be spent on Afghanistan operations, which several Democrats said would be enough to safely withdraw troops.
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) said the Republican spending bill for FY 2011 allows for $100 billion in spending, which she said "doesn't sound like we're winding down."
By Patrick McDonnell and Ruben Vives
People across Southern California took part in vigils, prayer services and other acts of remembrance Saturday as the region marked the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.
"I just decided to drive up and make this my memorial celebration," said Rose Diaz, one of many who took a reflective interlude on the campus of Pepperdine University in Malibu, off Pacific Coast Highway.