3 Issa-Backed Veterans Bills Pass U.S. House

Congressman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve three veterans bills co-sponsored by Congressman Issa -- an Army veteran and representative of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

The legislation passed today includes measures that will stop the taxation of certain benefits paid to disabled combat veterans, allow self-scheduling of appointments at the VA, and allow spouses of servicemembers to claim the same residency as the servicemember for voting and tax purposes.

"Each of these bills is common sense and long overdue," said Congressman Darrell Issa. "Veterans in the Orange County and San Diego County area contact my office for help with the Veterans Administration (VA) every single day. The bills we've passed today will help improve the healthcare, benefits, and services for veterans and their families. I thank and applaud my colleagues who worked on these important measures and look forward to continuing to work on further solutions for our nation's deserving vets."

In addition to other measures, the House approved:

H.R. 5015, the Combat-Injured Veterans Tax Fairness Act of 2016

Restores amounts improperly withheld for tax purposes from severance payments to individuals who retired or separated from service in the Armed Forces for combat-related injuries

Background on this bill is available in the Military Times

H.R. 4352, the Faster Care for Veterans Act of 2016

Directs the Veterans Affairs Department to carry out a pilot program establishing a patient self-scheduling appointment system.

H.R. 5428, the Military Residency Choice Act

Authorizes the spouses of servicemembers to elect to use the same residences as servicemembers for tax and voting purposes.

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