Pappas’s Bipartisan Veterans Bills Advance in Subcommittee
This week during a House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee markup, three bipartisan bills led by Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, advanced out of the Subcommittee with bipartisan support. The three bills were the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act, the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act, and the Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act.
“It is of the utmost importance that veterans can access the benefits and services they are owed,” said Congressman Chris Pappas. “These bipartisan bills will improve access to VA benefits, ensure compensation rates keep pace with our changing economy, and support the work of county veterans service officers. I’m pleased to see bipartisan support for these bills, and I will continue to work across the aisle to ensure the needs of our veterans are being met.”
The Veterans Benefits Improvement Act would improve VA benefits accessibility by requiring that the Secretary publish disability benefit questionnaire (DBQ) forms on the VA’s website for use by a veteran’s private provider. It also includes a report on improving access to travel reimbursement pay for veterans living abroad who must attend a disability exam. Additionally, this bill would improve communication regarding the scheduling of disability exams between contractors, veterans, and the veteran’s accredited representative.
The Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act would increase the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities, as well as the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain veterans as of December 1, 2023. The increase in VA benefits would equal the cost-of-living increase provided for certain Social Security benefits.
The Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act would authorize federal funding to expand the work of county veterans service officers (CVSOs), who are often the best resource on the ground to assist veterans in securing the benefits they have earned.
Background:
In February, Pappas introduced the bipartisan Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act alongside Representatives Levin, McMorris Rodgers, and Finstad.
In March, Pappas introduced two bipartisan veterans bills alongside Representative Luttrell, the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act and the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act.