Veterans

Jane Harman has the highest honor and respect for the thousands of women and men who serve in America’s armed forces. She works everyday to ensure that they have the training and equipment they need to do their job fighting future wars and protecting the United States and our freedoms.

That respect does not diminish when soldiers, sailors, airmen and women, marines and Coast Guard members are laid to rest with all appropriate honors.

	Honoring our Veterans
	Awarding Purple Heart

As a result of Harman’s efforts, servicemen and women on active duty since September 11, 2001 are awarded the National Defense Service Medal – a medal traditionally issued to the brave women and men in urinform during times of national crisis. Jane Harman was proud to participate in one of the first presentations of the medal to airmen from Los Angeles Air Force Base at the Torrance Armed Forces Day celebration.

Awarding National Defense Service Medal

The POW/MIA flag flies on six national holidays at US Post Offices and other federal buildings throughout the country as a result of legislation Harman wrote while serving on the House Armed Services Committee.

	The POW/MIA Flag
	POW Recognition

When reports of sexual harassment of women at basic training bases surfaced, Jane Harman was one of three House members selected to lead a bipartisan investigation that recommended important changes in policy.

Fighting Sexual Misconduct in the Military

Veterans’ service organizations – which often assist homeless veterans – receive surplus military "meals ready to eat" (MRE's) and blankets as a result of another change in law secured by Harman. At a ceremony she hosted, then Army Secretary Togo West distributed both MREs and blankets to the Kenny Nickelson Foundation for Homeless Veterans in the San Pedro.

And, more recently, Harman joined Congressman “Duke” Cunningham in introducing legislation to require the construction of a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery honoring non-citizen patriots killed while serving in the US Armed Forces. She has also led efforts to extend veterans’ benefits to World War II Filipino soldiers who fought along side the US against Japan. Los Angeles County ahs one of the largest Filipino veteran populations in the country, and recognition of their brave wartime service is long overdue.

Non-citizen Patriots Memorial

Honoring veterans also means providing a “safety net” and Jane Harman has consistently voted against irresponsible budget cuts in the Department of Veterans Affairs budget.

Jane Harman has voted to:

• Expand Veterans' and Survivors' benefits and give an annual cost of living adjustment.
• Increase grants to States to improve employment placement programs for veterans.
• Upgrade facilities at Veterans Affairs hospitals and address earthquake concerns at California's VA medical facilities.
• Expand and increase educational, housing, burial and disability benefits, including a 46% increase in Montgomery GI education and training benefits program.
• Repeal the Disabled Veterans Tax, which forces disabled military retirees to give up one dollar of their pension for every dollar of disability pay they receive. Repeal would provide full payment of both retirement pay and disability compensation to 500,000 disabled military retirees.

Harman proudly wears an American flag pin on her lapel, and displays the American and POW/MIA flags in prominent places in her offices. She also voted to amend the Constitution of the United States authorizing Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag.