Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema joined local leaders, veterans administration officials and volunteer organizations at the opening of a transitional facility for homeless women veterans on Monday.
The facility is an expanded effort by the Madison Street Veterans Association to include more comprehensive transition programs for returning and homeless veterans. Reports indicate that women veterans experience homelessness at a rate four times greater than their male counterparts.
During her time in Arizona’s Legislature, Sinema’s own flagship legislation to strengthen transition for returning veterans became a national model for other local governments to provide veterans with in-state tuition and immediate workplace licensing.
Sinema cites her background of growing up in a military family and having experienced homelessness herself as a child as reasons for her drive to fight for the veteran community.
Last week, Sinema voted to pass a bipartisan bill to protect the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs from the draconian sequestration cuts.
Sinema has been vocal opponent to the crude and sweeping cuts to the national budget.
