Hudson lends vets an ear

Efforts to glean input from local veterans prompted Wednesday’s Veterans Advisory Committee meeting in Albemarle.

U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson hosted the meeting at Stanly Commons, part of an effort to hear the concerns of veterans in the 8th Congressional District for which he is seeking re-election. Hudson’s visit follows last week’s Military Affairs Roundtable in Fayetteville where Hudson (NC-08) and other congressional leaders fielded questions about perceived problems with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as well as the path of U.S. military.

“I’m concerned about the direction of this country,” Hudson said. “We’re planning to never be in another war — that’s the Pentagon’s position. We’re not prepared to deal with the threats out there.”

He said the U.S. military has been cut by 23 percent in the recent years.

“We’re not 23 percent more safe,” Hudson added.

He talked about the military being less prepared and ready for combat situations, specifically paratroopers.

A controversial issue in the Fort Bragg community, the U.S. military has deactivated the 440th Airlift Wing, which Hudson and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) opposed. The unit historically trained with the 82nd Airborne.

Last month the U.S. House passed the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Hudson and Renee Ellmers (NC-02) filed an amendment to the NDAA that would create additional congressional oversight over airborne operations at Fort Bragg. It requires the Secretary of the Air Force and the Secretary of the Army to give quarterly reports to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees specifying the number of airborne jumps and evaluating the level of air support provided by the Pentagon.

“It’s our government’s chief responsibility to guarantee our men and women in uniform have the equipment, resources and support needed to carry out their missions,” Hudson said at the bill’s passage. “This legislation is a step in the right direction to address the growing threats we face in a cost-efficient, responsible way.”

A supporter of military dogs and their handlers, Hudson also filed an amendment to request information on the mismanaged adoptions of military working dogs from the former Tactical Explosive Detector Dog Program.

Area vets seemed more distressed about the lingering issues regarding the VA, especially with its lack of respect given to veterans.

Vets took turns complaining about long waits and the bureaucratic red tape associated with appealing to the VA for benefits.

Hudson told the crowd the VA’s problems have nothing to do with funding, since the agency receives more funding than ever. Instead, the congressman points to the VA’s built-in bureaucracy within its management system as the primary culprit.

He wants to streamline the VA’s procedures, giving veterans more choices.

Hudson recently introduced the Care Veterans Deserve Act of 2016 to expand access to care at the VA while enhancing choice, flexibility and quality in veterans’ health care.

The Concord Republican reiterated President George Washington’s mantra that the future of the country’s military depends on how well its veterans are treated.

“When it comes to veterans, it’s not a partisan issue,” Hudson said.