Identifying Barriers and Best Practices Study Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4183, the Identifying Barriers and Best Practices Study Act.

H.R. 4183, as amended, would require the Government Accountability Office to complete a study that compares the utilization of disability and pension benefits between veterans of the National Guard, Reserve, and Active-Duty components.

Some National Guard and Reserve veterans believe that it is more challenging for them to successfully apply for VA benefits compared to veterans of regular components. According to a Statement for the Record provided by The American Legion during the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee hearing on H.R. 4183: ``Guard and Reserve veterans have historically been at a disadvantage when seeking VA compensation and disability benefits due to poor reporting and documentation of injuries which occur during a period of Reserve or Active Duty for training.''

We must ensure that all of our veterans who have been injured as a result of their service receive the benefits they have earned. This legislation would shed additional insight into the barriers our National Guard and Reserve veterans could face when seeking VA benefits. This may, in turn, inform how VA could improve its claims process for National Guard and Reserve veterans.

I encourage all Members to support H.R. 4183, as amended.

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Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, as mentioned here, this is a problem we have been dealing with concerning our Reserve and National Guard. We want to make sure that they are provided with these benefits. I want to encourage all of our Members to support this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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