Wounded Veterans Recreation Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 327) to amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to provide for a lifetime National Recreational Pass for any veteran with a service-connected disability.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: S. 327

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Wounded Veterans Recreation Act''. SEC. 2. NATIONAL RECREATIONAL PASSES FOR DISABLED VETERANS.

Section 805(b) of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6804(b)) is amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

``(2) Disability discount.--The Secretary shall make the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass available, without charge and for the lifetime of the passholder, to the following:

``(A) Any United States citizen or person domiciled in the United States who has been medically determined to be permanently disabled, within the meaning of the term `disability' under section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102), if the citizen or person provides adequate proof of the disability and such citizenship or residency.

``(B) Any veteran who has been found to have a service- connected disability under title 38, United States Code.''.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this bill to provide wounded veterans with free access to our national parks and our public lands. This clearly is a bipartisan priority, and thanks to the leadership and hard work of my colleague, Senator Shaheen from New Hampshire, it cleared the Senate with unanimous support.

I also know that my good friend, Raul Ruiz from California, the House sponsor of the bill, worked very hard and cares very deeply about the impact this bill will have on the veteran community.

The Department of the Interior and the Forest Service currently waive fees for all disabled Americans, and this bill will make this a permanent and standard feature for all veterans with a service-related disability, ensuring that there are no barriers to access to the lands and waters these brave Americans have sacrificed so much to protect.

Sending this bill to the White House for the President's signature less than a week after Veterans Day is also fitting. It is a meaningful action that will impact the lives of wounded veterans and recognize their important contribution and sacrifice. In the Natural Resources Committee, we have heard numerous stories about the healing and restorative powers of our public lands for countless veterans.

Again, I want to thank the sponsors of this legislation for their attention to this issue. I strongly urge a ``yes'' vote, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

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