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Extension of Remarks H.R. 3618 Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing the Disabled Veterans’ Automobile Assistance Improvement Act of 1998. Severely disabled veterans are eligible for a grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide or assist in providing an automobile or other conveyance.The original intent of this program was to provide a grant which would enable a veteran to actually purchase a motor vehicle. The grant currently available is totally insufficient for that purpose. In 1971, the average cost of a new car was $3,742 and the VA grant amount was $2,800. In 1974, the average cost of a new car was $4,440 and the VA grant was raised to $3,300. By 1988, the average cost of a new car had increased to $14,065 and the VA grant had increased to $5,500. Today, the average cost of a new car is $20,647, but the VA grant remains limited to $5,500. These figures dramatically demonstrate the erosion of a benefit which is designed to assist disabled veterans in the purchase of a motor vehicle. The Disabled Veterans’ Automobile Assistance Improvement Act of 1998 will enable disabled veterans to qualify for a grant which will be increased to make up for the increased cost of automobiles over the last ten years and will index these amounts for future inflation. Our severely disabled veterans need assistance with the cost of motor vehicles which, due to the extent of the veterans’ service-connected disabilities, frequently cost far more than the average cost of an automobile. This legislation will provide that assistance and I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation. |