Letter to the Editor: Submitted by Steve Paul
To the Editor:
August 16, I attended U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson’s town hall held at the Veterans Museum in Waukon. Hinson’s selected venue and her office’s invitation to Veterans were to give the impression that she supports Veterans. Unfortunately, Hinson’s voting record demonstrates that she actually votes against Veterans.
Examples of her voting against Veterans are the EVEST Act of 2022 and Honoring our PACT Act of 2022. Hinson cast a “no” vote to these important bills.
The EVEST Act (Ensuring Veterans’ Smooth Transition Act) automatically enrolls Veterans into the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system when their active duty ends. This bill eliminates red tape, the waiting period for approval and any gap in Veterans having their health care needs met. Thanks to Democratic Representatives and a few Republican Representatives, EVEST Act is now law.
The Honoring our PACT Act (the full name is Sergeant First Class Health Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act) is the most expansive Veterans benefit bill to pass Congress in decades. In addition to expanding VA health care and benefits for Vietnam-era Veterans exposed to Agent Orange, it extends coverage for Veterans of the Gulf War era and those who served in Afghanistan who were exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. (It was common practice for the U.S. military to dispose of any and all waste by burning it.)
Exposed soldiers are now dealing with cancers, lung diseases and countless chronic, disabling diseases. The Honoring our PACT Act automatically qualifies Veterans for VA health care and disability benefits.
Ask yourself, how could Rep. Hinson deny help to Veterans who were harmed physically during their service to their country? She says she supports Veterans, but saying it does not make it true. Her voting record of “no” votes reveals the truth.
Veterans deserve a representative they can trust who votes for them, and that person is not Ashley Hinson.
Steve Paul
Waukon
