2022 Primary Candidates OKDemVets Questionnaire Responsese

Jason Bollinger
Candidate for U.S. Senate 2022

jasonforoklahoma.com

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1. Are you a veteran of the US Armed Forces? If so, what were your branch, rank, years of service? Mention any details of your service which you might want voters to know.

No, I am not a veteran of the US Armed Forces.

2. Do you have connections with veterans or active duty service members, including but not limited to family ties?

Yes: Grandfather, U.S. Marine Corps; Great Uncle, U.S. Army; Great Uncle, U.S. Navy; Mother, recruiter for USMC.

3. What do you consider the most important issues facing veterans and military families?

Currently, I believe the most important issues facing veterans and military families involve funding for VA services, including but not limited to health care and mental health services. Veterans in Oklahoma and across the country have difficulty accessing the services they require because the VA is under-funded and under-staffed. To uphold our commitment to our veterans, we must properly fund the VA and provide veterans and their families easy access to the resources they need and deserve.

4. In what ways can you be helpful to veterans and military families if elected to office? This may of course include policies not specifically directed to those communities. If you are an incumbent, include relevant measures you have supported in the past.

First, I will always be open to hearing the concerns of veterans and military families. As Oklahoma's US Senator, it will be my obligation and honor to take their concerns and problems and work to resolve them through legislation. Second, I will work to ensure that all legislation relating to the VA and veterans' services is intended and would have the effect of expanding access to those services—not cutting services. Third, I will work to expand access to healthcare services in all parts of rural Oklahoma, where many of our veterans and families are left behind.

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Madison Horn

Candidate for U.S. Senate 2022

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madisonhorn.com

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1. Are you a veteran of the US Armed Forces? If so, what were your branch, rank, years of service? Mention any details of your service which you might want voters to know.

- Despite my utmost respect for the Armed forces, I have not been a part of the military. 

2. Do you have connections with veterans or active duty service members, including but not limited to family ties?

- My family connections include my Great-Uncle Kenneth “Cowboy” Morris, who served during World War II and participated in engagements such as the Battle of the Bulge. Additionally, my grandfather Gary Horn also served his country during the Korean War, as a proud member of the Oklahoma National Guard. These are my two closest family members, though I have a number of ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary war, and multiple close friends and mentors who served. 

3. What do you consider the most important issues facing veterans and military families?

- One challenge that must be addressed immediately is the suicide rates of veterans in this country. In 2019 alone, over one hundred Oklahoma veterans committed suicide, contributing to a staggering 6,261 total veteran suicides in the United States that year. Getting veterans the mental health care and resources that they need is the least we can do for the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for this country. This cannot be a legislative afterthought.

We also must streamline the Department of Veterans Affairs and utilize the technological advances of recent years to ensure all veterans needs are met. This includes routine doctors’ visits and prescriptions. Lastly, we must curb the bureaucratic turmoil that has wrecked the department over the past few years. For example, the last administration experienced disruptive amounts of turnover, with the Deputy Secretary role changing over five times. Additionally, many other top administrative officials have been plagued with controversy. This is a department that oversees a $200 billion+ budget and is responsible for assisting over 9 million Americans. It must lead, not operate like a circus act.

4. In what ways can you be helpful to veterans and military families if elected to office? This may of course include policies not specifically directed to those communities. If you are an incumbent, include relevant measures you have supported in the past. 

- Taking care of our veterans should be on the top of the Federal Government’s priority list.  Unfortunately, as millions of veterans in this country have experienced, this is not the case.  Top-notch care for the physical and mental health needs of veterans must be fought for and shepherded through congress. The bill H.R. 3967 is an example of the types of legislation that I would work to push through the Senate. This specific legislation would help get adequate resources to veterans who suffer from permanent effects due to toxic exposure while serving our country during the Gulf War and other recent conflicts. 

While we are not the only country in the world to neglect our veterans, we must become a leading example of what it looks like to do things differently. We can start by elevating the care of our veterans in hospital rooms and doctors’ offices. Additionally, our veterans need support as they try to integrate back into civilian life and participate in the workforce. We need to be there for them just as they were out there for us. We can do this by helping them obtain effective job training, high quality education, and other practical tools. My desire is to provide opportunities for all veterans to utilize the skills they learned in the military to help lead our country and economy moving forward into the future.

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