By Rep. Kristi Noem

South Dakota has a strong history of military service. Thousands of South Dakotans have put themselves in harm's way to protect our liberties and freedoms. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our nation safe and secure. Many others have returned home wounded. Veterans have earned, and deserve, the benefits they were promised.

Recently in Congress, I have worked to pass budgets which protect the critical veterans programs many rely on.  Still, some in Washington and the media are using scare tactics to let veterans believe solving our budget crisis requires cutting veterans’ benefits.  Nothing could be further from the truth. Despite these rumors, I have and will continue fighting for veterans’ benefits. 

Specifically, I voted to protect veterans funding in the House passed budget, The Path to Prosperity, which cuts trillions in non-veterans funding over the next decade.  The House passed budget does not cut mandatory funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs budget.  Contrary to what many have said, this budget has veterans spending levels in line with the President's budget requests.

I also supported HR 2055, the FY2012 Military Construction & Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act.  This bill has mandatory and discretionary funding levels at an 8% increase over FY2011 and equal to President Obama's budget request. 

And most recently, I worked in Congress to get us past the debt ceiling crisis. I voted to cut spending and balance the budget with the Budget Control Act. Among other important parts of this legislation, mandatory veterans programs were protected from any cuts.

I will work to continue providing and improving veterans' benefits and health care services, especially to those in rural areas.  My staff and I are here to serve you.  My staff can assist with military service-related records requests, help procure replacement medals, and answer your questions about retirement and disability compensation claims. 

It is important we take care of those who have sacrificed so much on our behalf while also trimming the overall federal budget.  So far this year, the House of Representatives has advocated exactly that. 

Rep. Kristi Noem is South Dakota’s lone U.S. Representative, elected in November 2010.  She serves on the Agriculture, Education and Workforce and Natural Resources Committees.