Demings, Rubio Share Veteran's Reform Plans

On Veteran’s Day, a number of lawmakers took the time to celebrate the Veteran’s past and present on social media. Two lawmakers that expressed their gratitude were Florida Rep. Val Demings (D) and Florida Senator Marco Rubio (R), who are currently engaged in a soon-to-be contentious senatorial race.

Both Rep. Demings and Sen. Rubio shared reform plans they’d like to implement in order to better service the service members, and both are rallying support for the cause.

In an email directed to supporters, Rubio shared that “without the service and sacrifice of generations of Americans, our great nation would have been lost a long time ago.”

“Although we will never be able to fully repay our nation’s veterans and their families for their sacrifice, we must continue to ensure that those returning home are treated with the respect and honor they deserve.”

In order to make sure that veterans do not “fall through cracks,” the GOP Senator explained that “over the past few years, I have worked with my colleagues to protect whistleblowers, hold the Veterans Affairs department accountable for its gross mismanagement and neglect, and help veterans re-entering the American workforce by making certain they have the skills needed to thrive in science- and math-based career paths.”

Joining another effort that has drawn bipartisan support, Rubio also shared that he is “fighting to get veterans suffering from burn pit exposure the care they deserve.”

On Twitter, Rep. Demings shared her gratitude “for our nation’s heroes, and the sacrifices they make to defend our nation” by also expressing that the United States can do more for its service members.

“The greatest honor we can provide our veterans is to ensure that they are served as they served us,” she noted, arguing that “health, housing, and education services” for them should be of “the highest quality.”

As well, she highlighted social security concerns, writing that “nearly 1 in 6 adult Social Security beneficiaries are veterans,” which means that “it is crucial we protect and expand coverage for our nation’s heroes.”

Considered one of the most closely watched races in the country, the Demings-Rubio race is drawing a lot of funds, support and engagement ahead of the 2022 midterm election. While Rubio has polled ahead of Demings, the race is still speculated to be one of the most hotly contested races in the midterm election season.