After Continued Calls from Pappas, Biden Administration Extends Pause on Veteran Debt Collection

WASHINGTON, DC – Following months of continued advocacy, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), a member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs and Chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, applauded the news that the Biden Administration will extend the pause on veteran debt collection by the VA during the pandemic and economic crisis.

Following Congressman Chris Pappas's (NH-01) fight to temporarily suspend VA debt collection efforts during this pandemic, President Joe Biden signed an Executive Order requesting the VA to extend debt relief to veterans until this public health and economic crisis are put behind us.

Pappas introduced legislation at the onset of this pandemic to temporarily halt the collection of outstanding debts by the VA. Specifically, his legislation would prevent the VA from demanding repayment until the current federal emergency declaration is lifted and suspend debt under the VA's jurisdiction in addition to debts being collected by the Treasury.

"Since the onset of this pandemic I have fought to provide much needed relief to the veterans across our country who are suffering from the catastrophic consequences of COVID-19, and I am glad that President Joe Biden has heeded our calls," said Congressman Chris Pappas. "Far too often veterans face unexpected debt collection from the VA, some due to overpayments that were through no fault of their own. However, this Executive Order will provide the relief so many need and ensure that our veterans can focus on their physical and financial health during these trying times."

Pappas has been leading the fight to overhaul the VA's debt collection process since he was elected to serve as the Chair of Oversight and Investigations for the House Veterans' Affairs Committee. Pappas led an investigative hearing,a bipartisan letter calling on the VA to change the VA overpayment system, and introduced the SHIELD for Veterans Act to address overpayment and debt collection issues. The VA generated and then collected $1.6 billion of debt for our veterans in fiscal year 2019.