Today, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after the House passed 9 bipartisan veterans bills:
"I am thrilled that, ahead of Memorial Day, the House was able to honor our veterans by passing several important bills, which would provide the nation's heroes with essential services and support. I am especially happy that two of my own bills were part of today's achievements.
"Several of the bills passed today would help reduce, and ultimately prevent, veteran suicide. I introduced the Vet Center Eligibility Act, which would expand eligibility for readjustment counseling at VA Vet Centers to certain members of the Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserve. I am glad that today the House saw the need for this legislation and quickly passed it, bringing us one step closer to eliminating suicide among these brave men and women.
"Not only did we work to combat veteran suicide today, but we also passed a number of bills to expand and improve veteran education and transition programs. I am especially grateful to Rep. Brad Wenstrup who took the lead on introducing the Veterans' Education, Transition, and Opportunity Prioritization Plan Act of 2019 (VET OPP Act). If signed into law, his bill would create a fourth administration within VA to ensure that education, employment, and transition benefits receive the attention they deserve from VA. I am confident that this piece of legislation would help us avoid future failures like the one we faced last fall with the implementation of the Forever GI Bill.
"All of the bills passed today bring us closer to fulfilling our promise to provide for our nation's veterans. It is my hope that the Senate swiftly passes, and the President signs these bills so that our veterans can receive the benefits they have earned."
The following bills were passed by the House:
- H.R. 2372: Veterans’ Care Quality Transparency Act
- H.R. 2340: FIGHT Veteran Suicides Act
- H.R. 2359: Whole Veteran Act
- H.R. 1947: To exempt transfers of funds from Federal agencies to the Department of Veterans Affairs for nonprofit corporations established under subchapter IV of chapter 73 of such title from certain provisions of the Economy Act.
- H.R. 1812: Vet Center Eligibility Expansion Act
- H.R. 2045: the VET OPP Act
- H.R. 2333: Support for Suicide Prevention Coordinators Act
- H.R.1200: the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act
- H.R. 2326: the Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer William Bill Mulder (Ret.) Transition Improvement Act of 2019
