Our veterans are heroes who have dedicated their lives to service and risked their own safety to protect our freedoms and defend our flag at home and abroad.

On my 36-County Tour, I’ve met with incredible veterans who have relayed their stories of bravery and patriotism to me, emphasizing the importance of protecting our constitutional rights and keeping America the world’s most feared superpower.

Upon completing their service and returning to civilian life, our veterans deserve the benefits that they were promised and have earned. In Congress, I’ve voted to safeguard those benefits and ensure that our veterans have access to the high-quality care and services that they are owed.

Just the other week, I voted for, and the U.S. House of Representatives passed, several pieces of legislation to uphold our commitment to our veterans.

First, I supported the Veteran Fraud Reimbursement Act to cut bureaucratic red tape and help veterans who are victims of fraud recover their stolen benefits. If veterans fall victim to fraud or other financial crimes, it’s our duty to ensure that they are quickly and fully reimbursed. We cannot let criminals get away with taking advantage of our veterans without promising our veterans that we will do everything in our power to completely restore their hard-earned benefits. Crooks and fraudsters who target and harass our veterans must be punished to the fullest extent of the law, and our veterans deserve to know that their benefits will always be protected.

Second, I voted for the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration Act, which also passed the House. Per its name, this legislation establishes the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration to help veterans and their families find good jobs and pursue other employment opportunities after their service. It also provides educational assistance to veterans who want to further their studies and learn new skills in a wide range of career fields. By equipping our veterans with the tools and resources that they need to enter the civilian workforce and make a living, we can ensure that they are financially secure and stable in both the short and long term.

Finally, I voted for the Student Veteran Benefit Restoration Act. This bill — which received wide support in the House — ensures that veterans who were defrauded by a phony educational institution can recover their GI benefits in full. Veterans should not be stripped of their right to pursue an education simply because a fraudulent school exploited their benefits. Educating our veterans must be a top priority for our country because these incredible men and women know the meaning of sacrifice, dedication, and hard work — and they would be an asset to any business or organization. Colleges, universities, and any educational institution must be held fully accountable if they are found liable of defrauding veterans, and similarly, our veterans must be fully protected from these despicable schemes. I’m glad that this legislation safeguards veterans’ ability to pursue their own American Dream.

I’m extremely grateful to our men and women who have worn the uniform and pledged their lives in service to our country. They deserve our unwavering support today and always. As a proud American, I will always support our veterans because they are true American heroes who have kept our nation the greatest on Earth.

U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, represents Iowa’s Fourth Congressional District.