Cramer: House Passes Extension for Critical Veterans Programs

Press Release

Washington, D.C. -- Today Congressman Kevin Cramer announced the House of Representatives passed legislation to extend critical programs for veterans.

The Veterans Administration (VA) Expiring Authorities Act extends through fiscal year 2014 the authority of the VA to provide housing assistance for homeless veterans, transport certain individuals to and from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities, for contract physicians to perform medical disability examinations, and extends the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans and the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education.

The bill also extends funding for the treatment and rehabilitation of seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans, and a requirement for nursing home care to be made available to veterans with service-connected disabilities.

"Many of our veterans in North Dakota rely on these programs for their well-being, and extending them is the least we can do," said Cramer. "I am hopeful the Senate will not only join us by passing these important extensions but also take up our bill to create a task force at the VA to tackle the backlog in disability claims. Congress must continue doing everything in its power to ensure our veterans receive the care they deserve."

In June Congressman Cramer formed a Veterans Advisory Board, made up of North Dakota veterans organization leaders who provide guidance on important issues for retired service members. Last month, Cramer voted for a backlog task force to deal with delays in disability claim processing at the VA.

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