Reps. Cherfilus-McCormick and Van Drew Introduce Veterans Bill of Rights to Ensure Every Veteran Receives the Care and Respect They Deserve

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representatives Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) and Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) honored Veterans Day by introducing the Veterans Bill of Rights Act. The legislation would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide every veteran with a clear and straightforward Veterans Bill of Rights outlining the benefits and services they are entitled to.

"Our veterans fought for this country, and the least we can do is make sure the government fights for them," said Congressman Van Drew. "Too many veterans still struggle to get the care and benefits they have earned because the system is so confusing. This bill makes sure that every veteran knows exactly what they are entitled to, and that the VA is required to deliver it. We are taking action to make sure our veterans receive the care they deserve."

"Our veterans fought for us-now we fight for them," said Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick. "We fight and we win when we honor our veterans not just with words, but with action-ensuring every veteran has the care, dignity, and opportunity they've earned. That's what the bipartisan Veterans' Bill of Rights Act does."

The Veterans Bill of Rights Act would:

• Require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide every veteran with a comprehensive Veterans Bill of Rights, available both in print and online, in plain, easy-to-understand language
• Codify key rights to fair treatment, privacy, timely health care (including community care), mental health and family support, housing and job assistance, education benefits, and transparency in claims and appeals
• Establish a complaint hotline and website for veterans to report issues directly, and require the VA to respond to all complaints within 30 days
• Mandate annual compliance reports to Congress detailing performance, complaint response metrics, and corrective actions

Click here to read the text of the bill.

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