Veterans Issues
The men and women who wear our nation's uniform are extraordinary people who are always prepared to meet the challenges of our time. I support measures to address veteran homelessness, improve the veteran health care system, and facilitate a smooth transition to civilian life for all returning veterans.
It is our solemn responsibility to honor each veteran's service and ensure we are doing all that we can to support them when they leave the military and return home. One of my proudest moments as a Member of Congress came in 2008, when I voted for the post 9/11 GI Bill, which was the largest expansion of veterans' benefits since the original GI Bill passed after World War II.
In 2022, I was proud to support the PACT Act – a landmark piece of legislation signed into law by President Biden in 2022. This bill expands healthcare access and benefits to more than five million service members who faced toxic exposures during the Vietnam War, Gulf War, and post-9/11 era.
I’m also proud to sponsor legislation that would allow DACA recipients to serve our nation in the armed forces. These Dreamers have known no other home but America and deserve to be able to serve the country they love.
More on Veterans Issues
Join Congressman Foster at his upcoming pinning ceremony to honor the brave men and women who served in the Vietnam War and their spouses. During the ceremony, Vietnam veterans and surviving spouses will be honored with a special lapel pin commemorating their service.
You can register to attend the ceremony here. Registration is required for attendance.
Naperville, IL – To celebrate Valentine's Day, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) delivered valentines to the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 in Naperville. Foster’s office received over 500 cards from local schools as part of his Valentines for Veterans program.
On Saturday, May 27, 2023, Naperville Gold Star Families gathered at Veterans Park to commemorate the unveiling of a monument dedicated to the memories of their fallen family.
Gold Star Families Memorial Monument event
The ceremony began with the Presentation of Colours, the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, and the singing of the national anthem. The Lima Lima flight team performed a flyover in tribute to the families.
Washington, DC – Tonight, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes an amendment sponsored by Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) that would improve nuclear security around the world.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement on the end of America's 20-year war in Afghanistan:
WASHINGTON, DC - Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4625, the Protect GI Bill Act which included legislative language introduced by Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) and Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) earlier this year. This legislation would align definitions of an eligible child in the Veterans Administration and the Department of Defense for the purposes of the education benefit transfer.
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) and Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), introduced the bipartisan GI Education Benefits Fairness Act, H.R. 1718. This legislation would align definitions of an eligible child in the Veterans Administration and Department of Defense for the purposes of the education benefit transfer. Currently, veterans and service members receive education benefits that they can transfer to their children, but a discrepancy in the definitions across agencies has led to the denial of this benefit to military families.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL), Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), and Congressman Mark Takano (D-CA) introduced the bipartisan GI Education Benefits Fairness Act. This legislation would align definitions of an eligible child in the Veterans Administration and Department of Defense for the purposes of the education benefit transfer.
For Batavia veteran Larry Orsborn, attending the wellness fair in Aurora Thursday for veterans was the "right thing to do."
"Unfortunately there are not a lot of 'outside' people who know as much about the resources available as the people that are here do," Orsborn said.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) reintroduced a resolution supporting DREAMers in the military. The resolution calls on the Secretary of Defense to authorize DREAMers to serve in the armed services. Allowing DREAMers to serve would improve military readiness and let young people who grew up in the United States serve the country they call home. Congressman Foster co-led the resolution with Congressmen Jared Polis (D-CO) and Juan Vargas (D-CA) with eighteen additional original cosponsors.