To the editor:

I would to introduce myself. My name is Mario J. Cristaldi. I am an Iraqi combat veteran with 27 years of faithful service with the U.S. Army: 12 years of active duty and the rest in the Army Reserve and National Guard. I have known Elise Stefanik, our congresswoman representing our 21st Congressional District, since 2015. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has been nothing less then superior when it comes to our veterans, active-duty troops and their families.

This message is going out to all you left-wing liberal Democratic veterans whom I have witnessed bashing and insulting Congresswoman Stefanik, which has digusted me to no end, stating she has done nothing for our veterans. Well, here are the facts: that this congresswoman has done for all of us veterans, and I hope I am fact-checked because then you will all see what this congresswoman has done for all veterans.

1. Elise signed onto a bill to renovate and repair VFW and American Legion halls and posts. This bill will create a $5 million grant program for veteran organizations. This grant will be used for repairs and improvements to existing facilities or technology.

2. Elise is co-sponsoring the Jobs and Childcare for Military Families Act bipartisan legislation to incentivize the hiring of veterans and military spouses, whose unemployment rate is almost six times the national average, and rising costs of quality child care only contributes to the issue.

3. Elise is a member of the Armed Forces Committee, Committee on Education and Labor, to include the House Permanent Select Committee.

4. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik supported all of this legislation to help veterans:

¯ HR 1972 VA Billing Accountability Act as amended

¯ HR 3642 Military Save Act

¯ HR 4245 Veterans Electronic Health Record Modernization Oversight Act of 2017

¯ HR 4830 Sit-Rep Act where service members improve transition through reforms for ensured progress

¯ HR 4958 Veterans Compensation Cost of Living Adjustment Act of 2018

¯ HR 5044 Service-Disabled Veterans Small Business Continuation Act

¯ HR 5215 Veterans Affairs Purchase Card Misuse Mitigation Act

¯ HR 4334 Improving Oversight of Women Veterans Care Act of 2017

¯ HR 4451 Homeless Veterans Reintegration Progress Reauthorization Act of 2018.

For all you left-wing liberal Democrat veterans stating that Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has done nothing for our veterans, you’d best read all the legislation she has supported. Get your facts straight!

Mario J. Cristaldi

Broadalbin