Prioritizing Veterans' Survivors Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. CISCOMANI. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Bost for yielding me time to speak today in support of my bill, H.R. 7100, the Prioritizing Veterans' Survivors Act.

Mr. Speaker, since I was elected, I have heard from military servicemembers and veterans' surviving family members about their struggle accessing VA benefits. In my district, I organized a Veterans Advisory Council, ensuring that surviving spouses and children accessing VA benefits and services is a top priority that we have discussed time and time again. I am always looking for ways to ensure that top VA leaders hear the concerns of veterans' loved ones.

From its creation, the Office of Survivors Assistance, or OSA, was meant to serve as the principal adviser to the VA Secretary on all survivors' benefits and services, including medical care and burial benefits.

When VA began operating the OSA within the Veterans Benefits Administration, the VA deprioritized survivors policy and skirted Congress' intent when they created this office. My bill would fix this, requiring OSA to operate within the Secretary's office, thereby prioritizing advocacy and services for servicemembers' and veterans' surviving spouses and families.

I would like to highlight the comment of a member of my Veterans Advisory Council, Ms. Jane Strain, a surviving spouse and an Army veteran herself. She said: ``Surviving spouses and families are family members who cared for children, moved many times during a military career, compromised their careers, and maintained home life while the servicemember deployed. They have earned and deserve attention when the spouse has passed. Placing the OSA directly under the Secretary will help to recognize the importance of this population.''

I was proud to work alongside Chairman Bost to ensure survivors have a seat at the table.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this commonsense legislation.

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