Today, Chairman Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) and Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) released the following statements after the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced they would begin issuing veterans identification cards:

“When traveling around the country, I’ve heard from many veterans who would like an official identification card to document their service,” said Chairman Roe. "These identification cards will allow our nation’s heroes to more easily prove their military service without the burden of carrying lengthy official documents and will help veterans access the benefits and discounts available to them. Most importantly, these cards will further underscore the respect a grateful nation has for the men and women who serve, and I thank Rep. Buchanan for his leadership to get this bill signed into law.”

“Every veteran – past, present, and future – can now prove their military service without the added risk of identity theft,” said Rep. Buchanan, the author of the Veterans Identification Card Act. “These ID cards will make life a little bit easier for our veterans and serve as a constant reminder that our brave men and women in uniform deserve all the care and respect a grateful nation can offer.”

The Veterans Identification Act of 2015, sponsored by Rep. Buchanan, was signed into law on July 20, 2015. This law allows the department to give veterans official ID cards free of charge. To order online, veterans must provide a copy of a valid government-issued identification, a copy of a recent photograph to be displayed on their card and the details of their service. The cards will be printed and mailed directly to veterans. For more information visit VA’s website: https://www.vets.gov/veteran-id-card/.