The Hill - Senators Reintroduce Bill to Give Free Park Access to Disabled Vets

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By Kristina Wong

Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) reintroduced legislation Thursday that would give all veterans with a service-related disability a free, lifetime pass to national parks and other federal recreational areas.

Such a pass is currently available only to veterans with a 100 percent disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to a statement from Shaheen.

The bill would allow all veterans disabled because of their service to be eligible for a free, lifetime National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, and allow them to enjoy hunting, fishing and other recreation on federal public lands.

"Veterans who have fought and sacrificed to protect American land deserve the opportunity to enjoy it," Shaheen said in the statement.

"In New Hampshire we are lucky to have some of the most beautiful recreational space in the country. Men and women with a service-connected disability have earned lifetime access to these national treasures."

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