Pappas Introduces Package of Bipartisan Veterans Bills

Last week Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Ranking Member of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) Subcommittee of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee (HVAC), introduced three bipartisan bills to improve processes at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and expand eligibility for survivors’ benefits, insurance coverage, and burial processes. These bills are the Gulf War Survivor Benefits Update Act, co-led by Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02), as well as the VA Insurance Improvement Act, and Veterans’ Burial Improvement Act, both co-led by Congressman James Moylan (GU-AL). 

“Service members, veterans, and their families deserve our utmost respect for the sacrifices they make for us and our country. These bipartisan bills not only make commonsense improvements to these programs but expand and enhance access to VA survivors, insurance, and burial benefits,” said Congressman Pappas. “My legislation protects the survivors pensions of Gulf War spouses and dependents, makes all veterans under the age of 81 years old eligible for VA Life Insurance, and safeguards VA’s ability to bury spouses and dependents who predecease service members. We must ensure our veterans receive the benefits and services they are owed, and I’ll continue working to address the needs of service members, veterans, and their families in New Hampshire and across the country.”

“Spouses of our veterans who have gone before us have also made tremendous sacrifices on behalf of our nation, and this legislation will give the spouses of Gulf War veterans peace of mind that their sacrifices will not go unnoticed. I am proud to partner with Congressman Pappas on this commonsense legislation and will always be an advocate for our veterans and military families,” said Congressman Yakym.

“I'm proud to co-lead the VA Insurance Improvement Act and Veterans’ Burial Improvement Act alongside my colleague, Rep. Pappas. Both of these bills are important steps towards honoring our commitment to veterans and their families who have made immense sacrifices for our country. This legislation is a small token of our appreciation for their service and dedication,” said Congressman Moylan.

Background:

The Gulf War Survivor Benefits Update Act would ensure surviving spouses of Gulf War veterans remain eligible for survivors’ pension by extending the statutory marriage delimiting date.

The VA Insurance Improvement Act would improve and update VA insurance coverage. Specifically, it would:

• Extend eligibility for VA Life Insurance (VALife) coverage for all veterans under 81 years old, regardless of service-connected disability status;
• Allow for Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI) administrative expenses to be reimbursed from the VMLI program funds;
• Add Space Force to the definition of “uniformed service” for the purpose of eligibility for the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program.

The Veterans’ Burial Improvement Act would update burial standards and eligibility for service members’ families, Medal of Honor recipients, and veterans. Specifically, it would: 

• Make permanent VA’s authority to bury spouses and dependent children who predecease active duty service members;
• Authorize VA to pay a flat reimbursement rate for the transportation of a deceased veteran to a national cemetery or eligible veterans cemetery;
• Eliminate cutoff date for eligibility for VA-provided headstone, marker, or medallion for all Medal of Honor recipients;
• Authorize VA to provide group burial markers;
• Allow internment of certain individuals in cemeteries that receive plot allowance for veteran burials.