The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“TRIBUTE TO CHERYL L. MASON” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the in the Senate section section on pages S50-S51 on Jan. 23.
The Department provides billions in unemployment insurance, which peaked around 2011 though spending had declined before the pandemic. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, claimed the Department funds "ineffective and duplicative services" and overregulates the workplace.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO CHERYL L. MASON
Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, today I would like to honor the 30 years of public service and career of a distinguished American and champion for veterans, servicemembers, and their families: Mrs. Cheryl L. Mason.
As the Department of Veterans Affairs' Chairman of the Board of Veterans' Appeals, Chairman Mason helped deliver thousands of veterans and their families appeals on their earned benefits and VA services, ensuring they received timely decisions, including throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chairman Mason's lifelong commitment to serving veterans, servicemembers, and their families is no surprise given her background. She is the daughter of a U.S. Navy World War II veteran and a proud military spouse, serving her country alongside her husband Brett during his nearly 21 years in the U.S. Air Force.
Like many military spouses, Chairman Mason experienced a few breaks in her professional career due to relocations. However, she never let that stop her from working, whether it was as an LBJ intern on Capitol Hill for Congressman Bob McEwen, for the Department of the Air Force, in academia, or in private practice as an attorney. In fact, her experience served as a catalyst for her to become a champion for the military spouse community, where she went on to assist VA, the Department of Labor, Defense, and the Hiring Our Hero's Program at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to reduce military spouse unemployment and underemployment.
After decades of public service, Mrs. Mason was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and sworn-in as the Chairman of the Board of Veterans' Appeals in November of 2017. She is the first woman and military spouse to hold this position.
During her time as Chairman, Mason demonstrated strong leadership to the veterans and communities she served. From hiring 65 new veterans law judges to increase both hearing and decision capacity, to expanding use of remote work during the pandemic that resulted in record-setting hearings, she delivered on her commitments.
As the top Democrat on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee since 2017, it was a great honor to work with Chairman Mason and the Board of Veterans' Appeals to spearhead landmark laws such as the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act, which reduced the claims backlog from 472,000 cases to 96,000 cases in 4 years, and the VA Tele-
Hearing Modernization Act, which VA was able to quickly implement as a result of Chairman Mason's efforts.
Cheryl has also been an outstanding champion for the hiring of veterans, military spouses, and caregivers at VA and in the executive branch. And as a PREVENTS ambassador, she has done great work in developing and distributing a holistic public health approach to suicide prevention, working locally and nationally to end suicide.
It is my honor to recognize Cheryl's 30 years of outstanding service and top-notch commitment to serving our military men and women, veterans, and their families. While Cheryl is beginning a new chapter, I have no doubt she will continue to serve as a leading national advocate.
Chairman Mason, on behalf of myself and a grateful nation, I extend my greatest appreciation to you for your enduring leadership, advocacy, and service to all veterans. Your impact will be felt by veterans nationwide for years to come. Thank you.
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