Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico is unveiling a veterans and military-specific policy platform aimed at stopping the new forever war in Iran, strengthening support for military families, and increasing resources available to veterans for healthcare, housing, and employment.

Talarico’s Plan

Talarico’s plan takes aim at the Trump Administration’s mass layoffs in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), committing to a reversal of terminations of federal veteran employees along with reclassifying VA medical care as ‘mandatory spending,’ which would protect the funding from yearly Congressional budget fights.

Talarico also proposed automatically enrolling all eligible veterans in VA healthcare and opposing efforts to privatize the VA system. Additionally, he suggested reform for military-to-civilian transitional services, more oversight and funding for programs aimed at helping homeless veterans, and expanding the VA Home Loan program.

Support for Military Families

Talarico’s plan includes several benefits that are popular with veterans, such as passing the Love Lives On Act, which would allow Gold Star spouses of fallen service members to maintain benefits even if they remarry. He also proposed raising the age of TRICARE coverage for military children from 21 to 26.

Talarico will be joined by former service members at a Killeen event, including Vietnam War veteran Ray Bagby, who will speak in support of the candidate. ‘When I look at James Talarico, I see someone dedicated to the ideals of duty, honor, and country,’ Bagby said in a statement ahead of the event.

Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.