Barrett’s Bipartisan Legislation to Help Disabled Veterans Passes Committee

Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Veterans Affairs Committee passed H.R. 1364, the Automotive Support Services to Improve Safe Transportation (ASSIST) Act. This bipartisan legislation introduced by Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) and Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) would help disabled veterans make the vehicle modifications they need to travel safely by giving the VA greater flexibility to offer financial assistance for a wider range of necessary adaptations.

"I introduced the bipartisan ASSIST Act because the men and women who served our country deserve every resource they need to live full and independent lives," said Barrett. "Today, less than three months later, our committee advanced this common sense legislation to cut red tape, support disabled veterans, and deliver real results. I appreciate the support of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and look forward to this bill getting a vote on the House floor soon."

Currently, the VA is restricted to funding only a limited list of adaptive equipment, such as wheelchair tie-downs, van lifts, and raised roofs. This unintentionally limits, and in many cases prevents all together, some veterans from being able to make necessary modifications to their vehicles such as ramp and kneeling systems, mobility device lifts, and ingress or egress accessibility modifications. The ASSIST Actfixes this gap in assistance and would help ensure veterans are able to continue traveling safely and freely.

"We have a sacred obligation to ensure that our veterans have the support they need to thrive and enjoy the freedoms they fought for while serving our country in uniform," said Goodlander. "The ASSIST Act is common sense legislation that will cut the red tape that has prevented veterans from getting the equipment they need to travel safely. I'm proud that our legislation has advanced out of the Veterans Affairs Committee, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bipartisan solution."

The ASSIST Act passed out of committee unanimously and will now go to the House Floor for a vote.

CLICK HEREto read the bill text.

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