Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
***Click here for audio.***
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) to strengthen the Solid Start program. The Solid Start program was created by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) during the Trump Administration to contact every veteran three times by phone in the first year after they leave active duty service to check in and help connect them to VA programs and benefits.
“Making sure the brave servicemen and women have access to the benefits, healthcare, and other resources they earned is a crucial part of my role on the Veterans Affairs Committee. The Solid Start program was created by the Trump Administration to help veterans transition to civilian life. Our bill codifies this successful program to ensure veterans will have access to the support services they need. I applaud the Senate’s unanimous support and urge its final passage,” said Senator Cramer.
“I’ve talked with New Hampshire veterans about the immense challenges that many veterans face when they end their active duty service, and many are not even aware that resources are available from the VA to help with everything from getting mental health care to finding a civilian job,” said Senator Hassan. “Supporting veterans is not a partisan issue, and I am glad to have teamed up with my colleagues across the aisle on this bill to strengthen outreach to veterans. I will continue working to make sure that Granite State veterans receive the support that they need, especially after having sacrificed so much for our freedoms.”
“The transition to civilian life is not always easy. Passing this bill through the Senate is one more step towards giving veterans the support they need to ensure they receive the benefits they earned,” said Senator Cassidy.
The VA launched the Solid Start program during the Trump Administration with the goal of reaching out by phone to all newly separated veterans three times within their first year of separation to check in and help connect them to VA programs and benefits, regardless of separation type or characterization of service. The program also prioritizes outreach to veterans who accessed mental health resources prior to separation in order to quickly connect at-risk veterans to services. The Solid Start Act of 2021 codifies the program and authorize sufficient funding so that it can continue to serve veterans. Learn more here.