As Derby gathered to honor its veterans on Monday, Joe Delgrande held his cane. After three decades with the U.S. Air Force and Connecticut Air National Guard – including a tour in Afghanistan after 9/11 – his cane is a constant reminder of the military’s physical toll.

“My knee problems stem back from my military service – part of it,” Delgrande said.

Health care is a struggle for many vets, along with finding a job and a home. But in Congress, bipartisan legislation that could help has only weeks to pass.

The Elizabeth Dole Veterans Act would make it easier to get ambulance trips and to access mental health treatment, even for veterans’ caregivers. The bill also expands access to in-home care, instead of a nursing home. Finally, the legislation opens up more training for high-tech jobs.

“The Dole Act essentially would provide care and benefits to veterans that they deserve, regardless of when they served or where,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. “Cut through a lot of the bureaucracy and the burdens on veterans when they apply for these benefits.”

Other legislation would:

But time is running out. Congress only has until the end of 2024 to pass laws. In January, the clock starts all over again – with a new Congress and the new Trump administration.

“We’re not looking for anything like tax breaks and stuff like that. Really and truly, I just want to pay my fair share and go along. I just want to see my government give us a little more – just take care of the ones who can't take care of themselves,” said Delgrande. “I'd like to see a lot of our homeless brothers and sisters taken care of.”