– Last week, multiple legislation cosponsored by Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) passed the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the House of Representatives. The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee passed H.R. 3749, the Legal Services for Homeless Veterans Act. Today, Rep. Bacon released the following statement regarding H.R. 3749:

“Through the Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs, H.R. 3749 provides grants to organizations that offer legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness,” said Rep. Bacon. “In January 2018, there were nearly 37,878 veterans experiencing homelessness in the United States. These individuals struggle with poverty, lack support systems and affordable housing, experience unemployment, and may often live with a mental illness. As a veteran and a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I strongly believe this is just one of many steps we need to take to allow our veterans to receive the vital benefits, services, and treatment they rightfully deserve.”

H.R. 3749 was introduced by Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-20) in addition to Congressman Don Bacon. Original cosponsors include Congressman Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (D-CA-39), Congressman Greg Steube (R-FL-17), Congressman Brian Mast (R-FL-18), and Congressman Mike Waltz (R-FL-06). They are all veterans and members of the For Country Caucus. 

The House of Representatives passed two bills and two resolutions in support of Hong Kong. The bills are H.R. 3289: "Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019, as amended,” and H.R. 4270: "PROTECT Hong Kong Act, as amended.”

H.R. 3289 directs various departments to assess whether political developments in Hong Kong justify changing Hong Kong's unique treatment under U.S. law. H.R. 4270 directs the President to prohibit the issuance of licenses to export certain defense items and services to various forces in Hong Kong, including the Hong Kong Police Force, the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department, and the Hong Kong Government Flying Service. Rep. Bacon issued the following statement regarding H.R. 3289 and H.R. 4270:  

“We all should be standing in support of the people of Hong Kong who want freedom and a government that respects the dignity of the individual and their rights,” said Rep. Bacon. “China, on other hand, has murdered over 40 million of their own people, restricts free speech, and has gulags open today persecuting people of faith.”

The two resolutions are H. Res. 543: "Recognizing Hong Kong’s bilateral relationship with the United States, condemning the interference of the People’s Republic of China in Hong Kong’s affairs, and supporting the people of Hong Kong’s right to protest, as amended" and H. Res. 521: "Commending the Government of Canada for upholding the rule of law and expressing concern over actions by the Government of the People’s Republic of China in response to a request from the United States Government to the Government of Canada for the extradition of a Huawei Technology Co., Ltd., executive.” 

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