Capito Amendment Ups Funding For Legal Assistance To Veterans

Press Release

The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill passed today by the House of Representatives includes a measure offered by Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., to increase funding for a program that provides free legal services to veterans seeking benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Veterans who are denied certain benefits have the opportunity to appeal to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, but many veterans cannot afford the legal fees necessary to plead their case, said Capito.

"This can be a costly process," she said. "And we're talking about ensuring that our veterans get the fair hearing they're entitled to receive. Our service men and women - particularly those on fixed incomes - may not have the resources to make their case in court. My amendment seeks to address these obstacles by increasing the funding available for legal assistance to veterans appealing claims decisions."

Capito also noted that the increase in veterans returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan is creating a troubling backlog in the appeals process.

"I continue to hear from veterans throughout my district who are struggling in a backlogged appeals process," she said. "We need this increase in funding to help address these backlogs and ensure that our veterans get the consideration they deserve."

Capito's amendment passed by voice vote this afternoon. The full appropriations measure must now be approved by the U.S. Senate.

Source