Chairman Takano Praises Va's Decision to Close Gap in Benefits for Lgbtq+ Veterans and Survivors

Press Release

House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement supporting VA's action to close the gap in survivor benefits for certain survivors of LGBTQ+ veterans. This ruling immediately impacts LGBTQ+ veterans who were unable to wed until the Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision, and who were not married to their now-deceased veteran spouses for long enough to qualify for survivor benefits.

"I commend Secretary McDonough and VA for taking this necessary step to close the gap that prevented many LGBTQ+ veterans and their survivors from accessing their earned benefits," said Chairman Takano. "LGBTQ+ veterans served our country with patriotism and pride, often while hiding their true selves from those around them. While VA's action helps correct generations of policies that unfairly discriminated against LGBTQ+ veterans and their survivors, there is still more to do to ensure all veterans have equitable access to the care and benefits they've earned."

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