Senator’s bipartisan legislation extending American Legion membership for veterans who served in undeclared conflicts is ready to be signed into law
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the bipartisan LEGION Act—the first Senate bill sponsored by Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema. The bill, already approved by the Senate, now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. This is Sinema’s second Senate bill to be passed by both chambers of Congress.
The LEGION Act —supported by the American Legion and cosponsored by Republican Senator Thom Tillis (N.C.)—extends American Legion membership to honorably discharged veterans since World War II. Currently, only veterans who served during periods of declared hostilities are able to join the Legion. Congressmen Lou Correa (CA-46) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House.
“Expanding Legion membership improves services for veterans across Arizona and honors our brave servicemembers killed or injured during periods of unrecognized war. Our bill shows what’s possible when we stay focused on getting things done that matter,” said Sinema, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
“Today’s passage of the LEGION Act is a victory for veterans who until now have not had their service to our nation fully recognized,” American Legion National Commander Brett Reistad said. “These veterans and their family members can now enjoy all the benefits of their service which they so richly deserve.”
Sinema has led multiple successful efforts to strengthen services and protections for Arizona veterans. The LEGION Act is her second veterans bill to pass both chambers of Congress and head to the President’s desk. Recently, her bipartisan Protecting Affordable Mortgages for Veterans Act, which safeguards veterans from predatory loan practices and helps them more easily access their earned homeowner benefits, passed the U.S. House.
While in the U.S. House, Sinema cosponsored the VA MISSION Act, which is now law. The VA MISSION Act helps veterans receive care when they don’t live near a VA facility or when the VA can’t provide them with timely or specialty medical care. Sinema has also led the charge to reform the VA by being an original cosponsor of the VA Accountability Act and by supporting the VA Choice Act, both of which were signed into law. Additionally, Sinema worked with the family of Sgt. Daniel Somers, an Arizona veteran who lost his life to suicide, to introduce and successfully get signed into law the Sgt. Daniel Somers Classified Veterans Access to Care Act which ensures veterans who serve in a classified capacity can get private counseling from the VA.
As a member of the Republican-controlled U.S. House, Sinema successfully secured bipartisan support for and passed into law more than 30 bills—including five bills focused on veterans’ care and benefits.
