With a week left for the Senate to act to avoid a government shutdown, Rep. Reed is taking proactive steps to ensure military men and women and seniors are secured from a shutdown’s impact. Reed has introduced a bill in the House of Representatives, the Pay Our Veterans and Seniors First Act, to pay veterans and seniors while forfeiting pay for Congress and the President in the event of a government shutdown. “Our bill rightly puts our service men and women and seniors above Congress and the Pre... Read more

Congressman Tom Reed introduced a bill Thursday in the House of Representatives that will forfeit pay for Members of Congress and the Administration should a government shutdown occur. Reed’s Pay Our Veterans and Seniors First Act requires that in the event of a government shutdown, military men and women and seniors are secured from a shutdown’s impact. “Congress must act now to ensure our seniors and troops receive their pay in the event of a government shutdown,” Reed said. “With the clock ti... Read more

Rep. Tom Reed today addressed the severe claims backlog at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and steps the House is taking to remedy the backlog. The number of disability claims left outstanding for more than a year has grown by 2,000 percent in the past four years, with some pending for more than 1,000 days. Reed called the massive backlog unacceptable, saying it is time to stand up for those who stood so courageously for us. “I am pleased to have worked with the Appropriations Committee ... Read more

Rep. Tom Reed today addressed the severe claims backlog at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and steps the House is taking to remedy the backlog. The number of disability claims left outstanding for more than a year has grown by 2,000 percent in the past four years, with some pending for more than 1,000 days. Reed called the massive backlog unacceptable, saying it is time to stand up for those who stood so courageously for us. “I am pleased to have worked with the Appropriations Committee ... Read more

Rep. Tom Reed and two dozen veterans gathered Wednesday morning at the Bath American Legion to discuss legislative initiatives in the 113th Congress and announce the designation of “Taps” as the National Song of Military Remembrance, a designation Reed worked with local veteran Les Hampton to secure into law. Those around the table stressed the need to hold the Department of Veterans Affairs’ feet to the fire to get veterans their benefits in a timely manner: “We heard a great deal about the pa... Read more

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Tom Reed introduced legislation to designate the United States Postal facility in Tyrone the “Specialist Christopher Scott Post Office Building.” Specialist Christopher Scott was killed on September 3, 2011 in Kandahar, Afghanistan at the age of 21 while serving in the United States Army. “Specialist Scott is a true hometown hero who will always remain in the hearts of his loved ones and the Finger Lakes community,” Senator Gillibrand said. “He answere... Read more

Congressman Tom Reed announced today that legislation he introduced to designate the song “Taps” as the National Song of Military Remembrance is in the final phases of becoming law. Having passed the House in May, the measure passed in the Senate by unanimous consent yesterday and will now move to conference committee between the House and Senate before heading to the President’s desk for final approval. “With this legislation, ‘Taps’ will receive the recognition it deserves as it honors those ... Read more

Congressman Tom Reed will continue to be a proactive voice for veterans after meeting with his Veterans Advisory Council in Canandaigua this morning. “I heard a great deal about the need for the government to do better in addressing the requirements of our growing numbers of female veterans,” Reed said. “We also have to do a better job ensuring that our veterans receive their benefits in a timely manner.” “My father was career Army,” Reed explained. “We will always stand with our veterans and th... Read more

Congressman Tom Reed’s legislation which would designate the bugle call “Taps” as the National Song of Remembrance today passed the full House and moves on to the Senate for consideration. The designation is included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. Now the legislation must be passed by the Senate and signed by President Obama to become law. “We’re one step closer to our goal of winning this recognition for Taps,” Reed said. “It is a fitting gesture, and one which ... Read more