Pappas’s Bipartisan Veterans Bills Advance Out of Committee with Unanimous Support
Today, during a House Veterans' Affairs Committee markup, two bipartisan bills led by Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, advanced out of the Committee with unanimous, bipartisan support. The two bills were the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act and the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act.
“Our veterans swore an oath to give everything, up to an including their lives, for this country and we must do all we can to pay down the debt we all owe,” said Congressman Pappas. “I’m glad that the Veterans’ Affairs Committee has advanced my bipartisan legislation with a unanimous vote to ensure veterans’ benefits keep pace with our changing economy and that we address the backlog of claims at VA. I urge House leadership to swiftly bring these bills to the floor for a vote to honor the service of our veterans. I remain committed to working across the aisle to address the needs and concerns of veterans in New Hampshire and across the country.”
Background:
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.
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 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.