We are a group of veterans who are active in our community and well-connected with our fellow local veterans. Congressman Lloyd Smucker has our support this November because, when he was elected in 2016, he went to Washington and kept his promise to support our military and veterans.

Many politicians say they support our veterans, but not every politician actually means it. Not every politician has deep relationships with our veterans community or delivers for our active-duty service members, veterans and military families. Smucker does have those relationships and has delivered. He has achieved results.

Although it has many dedicated employees, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has been riddled with mismanagement in recent years, with no good way to remove poor-performing employees. This resulted in life-threatening wait times for treatment. Some veterans died while waiting for care. In response to this national scandal, Smucker went to Washington and helped pass the landmark VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act. This law is putting an end to mismanagement and mistreatment of our veterans.

Smucker then learned that some veterans were receiving bills for care received years in the past. You can imagine the hardship and confusion caused by these delays, often attributed to VA mismanagement or errors. Smucker introduced legislation — and got it passed through the U.S. House — that would waive the requirement that veterans make these delayed payments after 180 days. This commonsense measure provides peace of mind to veterans in our community. Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Phil Roe praised Smucker for introducing and passing this legislation. Again, Smucker delivered.

Approximately 40,000 American veterans are homeless. Like us, Smucker believes that one homeless veteran is too many. That is why he introduced the bipartisan Home for the Brave Act, which will help in our fight against veteran homelessness. This legislation helps more veterans who are in financial need to qualify for federal housing assistance programs. Again, Smucker delivered for veterans.

Smucker also understands that ensuring the well-being of our veterans starts while they are still serving in uniform. Concerned with recent reports showing a shortage of mental health providers available to service members and unchecked medication prescribing practices, he again took action. He introduced the Warrior Wellness Act in September. This critical legislation would increase the number of mental health providers and actually monitor and track prescribing practices.

Smucker also recognizes the unique skills veterans provide to our workforce. He knows that the leadership, teamwork and commitment instilled by the U.S. military make veterans indispensable in our economy. That is why he introduced, and got signed into law, a measure that expands military apprenticeship opportunities, providing active-duty service members with experience that prepares them for the civilian work force.

Not only that, but Smucker pushed for, voted for and helped enact a well-deserved pay raise for our troops still in uniform and on the front lines. His dedication to those protecting America is not just words.