September 29, 2022
House Passes Eight Bills to Support Veterans and their Families
Press Contact
Miguel R. Salazar (202) 779-1486
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, the House of Representatives passed eight bipartisan, bicameral bills to support veterans. These include bills from new members Rep. Peltola (D-Alaska) and Rep. Ryan (D-N.Y.) that will help end veteran hunger and expand home loans for Members of the National Guard and Reserve. The House also passed two bills to help veterans in crisis, including House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Takano’s (D-Calif.) REMOVE Copays Act and Senator Hassan’s Solid Start Act.
Chairman Mark Takano offered the below statement following passage:
“As we approach the end of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, I’m glad the House took action yesterday to pass my REMOVE Copays Act to make VA mental health care more affordable and accessible.
“I was also pleased to see bipartisan agreement to amend current law so that servicemembers can be repaid for contributions they have made towards post 9/11 educational assistance. The additional bills passed this week showcase this Committee's ongoing support for veterans and their families – including bills to support veterans experiencing food insecurity and veterans living with disabilities.
"However, I am deeply disappointed that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle used debate on the Solid Start Act – which simply allows VA to discuss the range of benefits and services women veterans have earned and deserved – to air their anger at women veterans being able to finally access life-saving reproductive healthcare. Last night, these colleagues vigorously and actively sought to delete women veterans from this legislation and trivialize situations where these veterans might seek access to reproductive and mental health care. But today – right after this morning’s full Committee hearing on how to better help veterans experiencing a mental health crisis – those same reservations were quickly forgotten, because my colleagues know that their desire to exert a double standard against women veterans is out of step with veterans and the American people. That is hypocrisy plain and simple."
A full list of bills passed can be found below:
Chairman Mark Takano offered the below statement following passage:
“As we approach the end of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, I’m glad the House took action yesterday to pass my REMOVE Copays Act to make VA mental health care more affordable and accessible.
“I was also pleased to see bipartisan agreement to amend current law so that servicemembers can be repaid for contributions they have made towards post 9/11 educational assistance. The additional bills passed this week showcase this Committee's ongoing support for veterans and their families – including bills to support veterans experiencing food insecurity and veterans living with disabilities.
"However, I am deeply disappointed that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle used debate on the Solid Start Act – which simply allows VA to discuss the range of benefits and services women veterans have earned and deserved – to air their anger at women veterans being able to finally access life-saving reproductive healthcare. Last night, these colleagues vigorously and actively sought to delete women veterans from this legislation and trivialize situations where these veterans might seek access to reproductive and mental health care. But today – right after this morning’s full Committee hearing on how to better help veterans experiencing a mental health crisis – those same reservations were quickly forgotten, because my colleagues know that their desire to exert a double standard against women veterans is out of step with veterans and the American people. That is hypocrisy plain and simple."
A full list of bills passed can be found below:
- H.R. 5918, as amended – To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs repays members of the Armed Forces for certain contributions made by such members towards Post-9/11 Educational Assistance, as amended (Rep. Banks)
- H.R. 7589, as amended – REMOVE Copays Act, (Rep. Takano)
- H.R. 3304, as amended – AUTO for Veterans Act (Rep. Fletcher)
- H.R. 8888, as amended – Food Security for All Veterans Act (Rep. Peltola)
- S. 2794 – Supporting Families of the Fallen Act (Sen. Tuberville)
- H.R. 8875, as amended – Expanding Home Loans for Guard and Reservists Act (Rep. Ryan (NY))
- S. 1198 – Solid Start Act of 2022 (Sen. Hassan)
- H.R. 8510, as amended – Strengthening Whistleblower Protections at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Act (Rep. Pappas)
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