Gottheimer announces new legislation at Veterans Day ceremony to support veterans’ homes, mental health
ORADELL BOROUGH, NJ (Bergen County) — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) Friday announced new bipartisan legislation to honor and support the brave men and women who have proudly served and protected our nation.
The two new pieces of legislation will support veterans’ mental health care and ensure veterans have an advocate in every state run veteran’s home across New Jersey and the county.
The Veterans Emergency and Timely Support (VETS) Act will:
- Require a resident advocate at every veteran’s home to be a direct line of contact for veterans.
- Ensure that veterans have access to an advocate who can immediately receive any concerns and respond and elevate their needs to the necessary levels.
- Help protect against the failures at the Paramus & Menlo Park Veterans Home during the COVID-19 pandemic, where one of the greatest tragedies New Jersey has ever witnessed occurred.
The Hope, Empowerment, and Lifesaving Programs (HELP) for Veterans Act will:
- Help prevent delays when veterans need critical mental health support and treatment.
- Provide grants to help our nation’s incredible nonprofits to coordinate suicide prevention services for veterans, active duty service members, and their families.
- Supported programs include provision of clinical services for emergency treatment, case management services, peer support services, VA benefits assistance, assistance with emergent needs relating to health care services, and more.
“There is nothing more important in this job than my responsibility to always have the backs of those who have stepped forward to protect us. After sacrificing so much, our veterans should never struggle to get the care, recognition, and respect they have rightfully earned. We can never forget that freedom isn’t free — it takes all of us working together, and remembering that what unites us is far greater than what divides us. Only China, Russia, Iran, and Hamas win when we attack one another,” Gottheimer said. “I’ve been proud, since my first days in Congress, to lead both Democrats and Republicans in Congress to care for and protect our veterans – and I will never stop fighting for them. Today, as part of that ongoing commitment, I’m proud to support those who have made constant sacrifices protecting our freedoms.”
Gottheimer was joined by Oradell Mayor Dianne Didio, Councilmen Stephen Carevale, Michael Staff, and Robert Jannicelli, Bergen County Director of Veteran Services Shaun Hutchinson, and Oradell Borough Historian Pat Schuber.
