Klobuchar spoke at Fort Snelling National Cemetery as part of its Memorial Day Program

MINNEAPOLIS – Today, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) honored our nation’s heroes at Fort Snelling National Cemetery during its Memorial Day celebration.

“Each Memorial Day, Americans across the country honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and work to ensure that the price they paid to defend our security and preserve our way of life is never taken for granted,” Klobuchar said. “We tell the world who we are as a country by how we honor our heroes. Because there’s no limit to the respect you’ve earned, no cap to the honor you’re due, and no time when we won’t be in your debt. Thank you for fighting for this nation and the life and liberty of our people.”

Since coming to the Senate, Klobuchar has worked to make sure that veterans and service members who have defended our freedom and security have the resources they need and deserve. Earlier this month, legislation passed the Senate that Klobuchar introduced to prevent changes in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from unduly harming Gold Star military families. The Gold Star Family Tax Relief Act will correct a change in the tax law and bring the tax rate down to its previous level for Gold Star military families. Last month, she also sent a letter urging the U.S. Department of the Treasury to urgently assess options to prevent the harms created by this tax code change for Gold Star families.

Klobuchar worked to pass the landmark Post-9/11 GI Bill, which provided enhanced tuition and housing benefits to service members seeking to continue their education and smoothly transition into the civilian workforce. She also supported the pivotal Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act, which not only improved support and training for family caregivers – who often carry the largest burden of nursing our wounded warriors back to health – but also strengthened health programs for women and rural veterans.

In 2018, provisions based on Klobuchar and Senator Thom Tillis’ (R-NC) Helping Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Act were signed into law as part of the Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act. The bipartisan legislation will create a Center of Excellence in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) focused on researching the health effects associated with burn pits and treating veterans who become sick after exposure.

For a recording of Senator Klobuchar’s full Memorial Day statement, click here for mp3 and click here for WAV.

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