Generations of Americans have stepped up and sacrificed on behalf of our country and our citizens by serving in America’s military. Their sacrifices deserve our utmost respect and gratitude. Throughout his time in Congress, Stephen has made it his mission to help ensure that our service members receive the quality care and assistance they have earned.

Stephen has sponsored and co-sponsored numerous bills to assist our veterans in securing educational benefits, housing assistance, and support for Veterans courts for those who are dealing with addiction issues.  He authored the Wounded Warrior Federal Leave Act.  Signed into law by President Obama, the legislation supports diabled veterans as they transition to civilian jobs within the federal government and ensures the flexibility for these veterans as they seek treatment for service-connected disabilities.  

He has spearheaded efforts to provide coverage for those exposed to toxins while on duty and supported vital veterans’ health services including those for PTSD, suicide prevention, Traumatic Brain Injuries, and medical research into conditions that seem to especially effect our veterans.

Stephen has also made it a priority to retrieve the remains of over 82,000 POWs and missing service members lost in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, as well as other conflicts.  As a part of the effort, he held the first oversight hearing that singularly focused on the Defense Department Agency in charge of POW/MIA accounting (DPAA), and introduced legislation to ensure recovery efforts are not sidelined as a result of budget shutdowns. 

Furthering his oversight efforts, Stephen has led bi-partisan delegations to oversee recovery missions in Vietnam, the Korean Peninsula, the Philippines, and to see the work of the DPAA in identifying servicemember remains at their headquarters in Pearl Harbor. 

In his role as a member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Stephen has traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan 28 times, more than any other member of Congress, performing vital oversight work and in support of those who serve.  And, as a member of the Oversight Committee, he will continue to ensure accountability at our VA hospitals, and in particular fight for those who serve veterans in the 8th District – Brockton, West Roxbury and Jamaica Plain. He is proud to have successfully fought off efforts to consolidate those hospitals.

Ensuring that those who are currently serving our country have the ability to vote, Stephen introduced the Digital Overseas Voting Act. The bill will require all U.S. States and Territories to allow ballots from service members and citizens living overseas to be cast by email, fax or regular mail. 

As your Congressman, Stephen will continue to ensure that our veterans have the resources, support and care they have earned.