Ayotte Opposes Veterans First Act Cuts to Veteran Housing Benefits and Veterans Choice Program

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte today announced her opposition to Veterans First Act provisions cutting housing allowance benefits for veterans as well as changes that undermine the Veterans Choice Program (VCP). She is joined in her opposition to these cuts by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).

"When our country was attacked, our men and women in uniform voluntarily stepped up to defend this nation, and we should not be cutting the post-9/11 GI Bill benefits they have earned. Unfortunately, while there are worthy aspects to this legislation, the Veterans First Act will make cuts to our veterans' housing allowance, so I strongly oppose the bill moving forward in its current form," said Senator Ayotte. "On top of that, this bill allows the VA to siphon money out of the Veterans Choice Program, which could significantly undermine its effectiveness. I have fought to ensure that the Veterans Choice Program expands access-to-care options for New Hampshire veterans, and will oppose legislation that fails to protect this important initiative."

The Veterans First Act includes proposed reductions to veteran housing benefits. Along with IAVA, Senator Ayotte is opposing the reduction in basic allowance for housing (BAH) for veterans, included in the bill to eliminate disparities between veterans and servicemembers, and instead believes that the housing allowance for servicemembers should be fully restored.

The Veterans First Act also fails to permanently extend the critical VCP or implement reforms to lower barriers to its usage, and it would also authorize the VA to transfer money out of the VCP's dedicated fund. The wait list manipulation scandal at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) resulted in the unacceptable denial of care to so many of our nation's veterans. In response, Congress created the VCP to offer more flexibility and options for veterans seeking health care, and it is essential to protect New Hampshire veterans' access-to-care needs. Senators Ayotte and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) have continued their bipartisan work together to improve veterans care by pushing for reforms to the program that concentrate on speedy access, quality, and wider availability of care to deliver access-to-care alternatives veterans have earned.

Continuing her leadership fighting reductions in the housing allowance for servicemembers, Ayotte today also signed a letter to the leaders of the Armed Services Committees opposing a provision that would reduce the housing allowance for servicemembers and penalize servicemembers married to other servicemembers.

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