Florida is home to some of the best national parks in the country, and more than 3.5 million people visit each year to camp, hike, dive and explore. 

Perhaps no American is more deserving of the chance to experience our country’s beauty than those who have fought to protect it.  That’s why I cosponsored bipartisan legislation to grant servicemembers, veterans and Gold Star families free passes to all national parks for life.  The Veterans In Parks (VIP) Act was introduced last week to build on historic legislation signed into law by President Trump aimed at promoting the use of outdoor spaces to help treat mental health symptoms in veterans.

There are numerous studies on the benefits veterans experience when they get outdoors, including helping to combat post-traumatic stress.  At a time when we are losing 20 veterans, servicemembers, Reservists and Guardsman each day to suicide, we owe it to them to pursue any and all potential treatments.

I will be fighting to get this bill signed into law, and in the meantime, you can learn more about my work to serve our nation’s veterans here:

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