Thank you Chairman Hall,

I look forward to this opportunity to confer with our witnesses on the bills we are considering this morning. 

To allow maximum time for discussion, I will limit my opening remarks to H.R. 3407 the Severely Injured Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act.

This commendable bill was introduced by full Committee Ranking Member Steve Buyer to improve benefits for our most deserving veterans.

These are the men and women who are so severely injured that they require assistance attending to daily personal needs such as bathing and eating.

For veterans in need of regular aid and attendance, H.R. 3407 would provide a fifty percent increase in the amount they receive for special monthly compensation. 

This increase will ensure that they are able to acquire professional medical services that will allow them to remain in their homes.

It would also expand eligibility for veterans with severe traumatic brain injury to receive aid and attendance, and it would authorize veterans with severe burns to receive specially adapted auto grants.

H.R. 3407 would make these needed improvements without increases in direct spending. 

I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill. 

Thank you, and I yield back.