Security and Women in the Military

Military personnel play a crucial role in national safety. EMILY’s List women have understood that when servicemen and women come home, it is imperative to help reintegrate veterans into society and provide them with services to help smooth the transition. Since 1989, EMILY’s List women have sponsored and co-sponsored bills to help with such initiatives. From granting adequate healthcare for veterans, preventing homelessness, aiding in children’s education and especially providing services for women veterans, EMILY’s List women are dedicated to improving the lives of veterans.

In 1993, many EMILY’s List women took a stand to support legislation for the creation of the Center for Women Veterans within the Department of Veterans. This department opened the first women’s bureau within the Department. Representative Maxine Waters, the sponsor of the bill, stated: “H.R. 3013 will create a permanent and prominent position for women veterans in the hierarchy of the VA. H.R. 3013 will ensure that past accomplishments in women veterans services are not eroded” [H.R. 3013]. 

In 2009, many EMILY’s List Representatives co-sponsored the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. This bill worked towards compensating and caring for the responders to 9/11 who were injured during the rescue and are in need of further medical attention. Representative Slaughter supported the bill by stating, “The World Trade Center victims and responders have waited long enough. Thousands of Americans were exposed to toxins at Ground Zero, and they are sick and need treatment. It is time for action.”

EMILY’s List women, in an attempt to better serve our veterans and their families, have taken initiatives that improve conditions for other minority groups. For example, as all EMLY’s List Senators supported the Repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Act as well as introduced various bills in regards to women’s health, they have ensured all veterans, including women and the LGBT community, are adequately represented and served.