Rep. Cisneros Advances Authored Legislation in House Veterans Affairs Committee on a Bipartisan Basis

Statement

Today, Representative Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (CA-39) released the following statement after two of his co-authored bills were passed on a bipartisan basis out of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. HR 3749, the Legal Services for Homeless Veterans Act, would provide grants to organizations that provide legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness. HR 4613, the VA Reporting Transparency Act, would require Congressionally-mandated reports on service and accessibility, including reports on nurse staffing and fraud prevention efforts, be made available on VA's website. These bills await legislative action on the House Floor.

"As a Navy veteran, I'm encouraged that the House Veterans Affairs Committee has moved forward with two of my bills that will help Orange County veterans and veterans across the country obtain the services they deserve," said Rep. Cisneros. "We must do more to get our veterans off the streets and into affordable housing so that they can live in dignity and comfort. Solving veteran homelessness requires a comprehensive approach, and I was proud to join Congressman Panetta to ensure our veterans are able to receive the legal services and assistance they need, including women veterans who are unfortunately the fastest-growing segment of the homeless veteran population. We must serve those who have served us, and this legislation will help veterans successfully transition back into our communities.

"We must also work to make it easier for our veterans to access the information they need, in order to protect them from fraud and bad practitioners. I was proud to join Congressman Rose to ensure accountability and transparency at the VA and to promote a system that puts the welfare and well-being of our veterans first."

The Legal Services for Homeless Veterans Act gives VA authority to provide grants or enter into partnerships with organizations that provide legal services to homeless veterans, or at-risk veterans. The act would help provide assistance for legal services including helping veterans with outstanding warrants or fines, child support matters, and license revocations, as well as specific assistance for women veterans and their families.

Congress often mandates the VA to issue reports on service and accessibility, including reports on nurse staffing, fraud prevention efforts, and the activities of the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection. The VA Reporting Transparency Act would require these Congressionally-mandated reports to be made available on VA's website (after redactions), and mandates VA provide Congress with a list of reports that are no longer useful, in an attempt to improve efficiency for both Members and VA.

Rep. Cisneros is a Navy veteran and serves on the House Veterans Affairs Committee and House Armed Services Committee. Rep. Cisneros's legislation, the Homeless Veteran Families Act, passed the House of Representatives on a bipartisan basis. He also testified at Member Day in the House Appropriations Committee to urge for more HUD-VASH funding to help end veteran homelessness.

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