Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Approves Boozman Bills to Improve Veteran Services & Benefits
Press Release
The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee on Wednesday advanced key legislative priorities aimed at improving veterans' benefits as part of legislation introduced by U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) to combat veteran homelessness.
The Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program (HVRP) Clarification and Reauthorization Act, introduced by Boozman and Senator Jon Tester (D-MT), would reauthorize current veteran homelessness programs and clarify qualifications for existing housing assistance benefits.
"Committee approval of this legislation is a great step toward ending the cycle of homelessness. I am encouraged by the support of the committee and will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure it becomes law. Enacting long-term programs that provide the resources, tools and training our veterans earned will help eliminate veteran homelessness," Boozman said.
The Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program (HVRP) Clarification and Reauthorization Act would:
Extend veteran reintegration programs for five years
Extend the homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children reintegration program for five years.
Clarify that veterans participating in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) agency's Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program are also eligible for HVRP.
Clarify that American Indians participating in Native American housing assistance program are also eligible to participate in HVRP.
The committee amended the legislation to add a number of measures to help veterans including the GI Bill Fairness Act introduced by Boozman and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). This bill would ensure that members of the Guard or Reserve who are wounded in combat are eligible for the same GI Bill benefits as active duty members of the military.
"Denying wounded Guard and Reserve members the benefits they earned is unjust. This measure will provide equal treatment and ensure they receive the benefits they earned for their service and sacrifice to our country," Boozman said.
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