President Obama signed a bill today designed to improve veterans' health care, help homeless veterans and prevent political protests near military funerals.
"I think all Americans feel we have a moral, sacred duty towards our men and women in uniform," Obama said during a brief Oval Office ceremony. "They protect our freedom, and it's our obligation to do right by them. This bill takes another important step in fulfilling that commitment."
Obama also noted that the new law ends "a decade-long struggle" at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
"Some of the veterans and their families who were based in Camp Lejeune in the years when the water was contaminated will now have access to extended medical care," Obama said. "And, sadly, this act alone will not bring back those we've lost, including Jane Ensminger, but it will honor their memory by making a real difference for those who are still suffering."
Also said Obama:
The second part of this bill that I want to highlight -- prohibit protesting within 300 feet of military funerals during the two hours before and two hours after a service.
I supported this step as a senator. I am very pleased to be signing this bill into law. The graves of our veterans are hallowed ground.
And obviously we all defend our Constitution and the First Amendment and free speech, but we also believe that when men and women die in the service of their country and are laid to rest, it should be done with the utmost honor and respect.
So I'm glad that Congress passed this bill and I hope that we can continue to do some more good bipartisan work in protecting our veterans.
I've been advocating, for example, for a veterans job corps that could help provide additional opportunities for the men and women who are coming home as we're winding down our operations in Afghanistan and having ended the war in Iraq. And so this is a good sign of a bipartisan spirit that I'm sure is going to carry through all the way to Election Day and beyond.
David's journalism career spans three decades, including coverage of five presidential elections, the Oklahoma City bombing, the 2000 Florida presidential recount and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He has covered the White House for USA TODAY since 2005. His interests include history, politics, books, movies and college football -- not necessarily in that order. More about David
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