August 23, 2017

Ranking Member Walz Applauds Bipartisan Effort As Appeals Modernization Bill Is Signed Into Law

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Tim Walz (D-MN) released the following statement after H.R.2288, The Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017, was signed into law:

“Thanks to the hard work and leadership of Representatives Mike Bost (R-IL) and Elizabeth Esty (D-CT), the President today signed into law a transformative VA appeals reform bill, the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017,” Rep. Walz said. “Today, there are more than 450,000 veterans waiting for the VA to provide them the benefits they earned after incurring a disability while in serving in uniform. By fully modernizing the VA appeals process, this law will dramatically reduce the number of veterans waiting on the VA for an appeals decision. I would like to thank my friends and colleagues on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs for their commitment to bipartisan leadership, as well as our nation’s well respected veterans’ service organizations for their passionate advocacy, because thanks to them, we have successfully passed multiple pieces of bipartisan legislation that will improve the lives of our nation’s veterans. While today represents a significant step forward, our duty to serve and protect our veterans is unending. I look forward to working with Members on both sides of the aisle as we work to improve the lives of veterans across the United States.”                                                                                                                            

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