The Food Security for All Veterans Act was passed by a 376-49 vote, sending the bill to the Senate for approval.
The legislation, introduced by Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola, aims to establish a department to assist veterans facing food insecurity and lack of nutrition, such as providing them with information about food stamps and other programs.
Speaking on the House floor to advocate for what was her fist bill, Peltola said Alaska’s high veteran population motivated her to push for the introduction of the department.
“There is nothing more important than ensuring our veterans and their families can enjoy a safe and healthy life after their service to our country,” Peltola said.
The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support, with 49 Republicans being the only lawmakers who voted against the introduction of an Office of Food Security at the Department of Veterans Affairs, some of whom are military veterans themselves.
Full List of Republicans Who Voted Against Office of Food Security for Veterans
Rick Allen, Georgia Jodey Arrington, Texas Jim Baird, Indiana Dan Bishop, North Carolina Mo Brooks, Alabama Ken Buck, Colorado Tim Burchett, Tennessee Michael Cloud, Texas Andrew Clyde, Georgia James Comer, Kentucky Dan Crenshaw, Texas Jeff Duncan, South Carolina Jake Ellzey, Texas Pat Fallon, Texas Drew Ferguson, Georgia Scott Franklin, Florida Matt Gaetz, Florida Louie Gohmert, Texas Bob Good, Virginia Lance Gooden, Texas Paul Gosar, Arizona Mark Green, Tennessee Marjorie Taylor Greene, Georgia Morgan Griffith, Virginia Glen Grothman, Wisconsin Andy Harris, Maryland Diana Harshbarger, Tennessee Kevin Hern, Oklahoma Jody Hice, Georgia Ronny Jackson, Texas Jim Jordan, Ohio John Joyce, Pennsylvania Debbie Lesko, Arizona Barry Loudermilk, Georgia Thomas Massie, Kentucky Mary Miller, Illinois Barry Moore, Alabama Ralph Norman, South Carolina Steven Palazzo, Mississippi Scott Perry, Pennsylvania Bill Posey, Florida Matt Rosendale, Montana Chip Roy, Texas Steve Scalise, Louisiana Greg Steube, Florida Van Taylor, Texas Tom Tiffany, Wisconsin Daniel Webster, Florida
Newsweek has contacted several GOP lawmakers who voted against the bill for comment.
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After the bill passed, Georgia Democratic Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux—together with a number of others aiming to help those who served in military—described Thursday as a “great day for veterans.”
“The Food Security for All Veterans Act creates the Office of Food Security within the Department of Veterans Affairs to study food security issues and take steps to address hunger,” Bourdeaux tweeted.
