Barrett Bill to Ensure Timely Payment for Disabled Veteran Vehicle Modifications Passes Subcommittee

Washington, D.C. -Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) and the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity on Tuesday approved Barrett's CRUISE Act (H.R. 7083) to ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs efficiently reimburses businesses that modify vehicles to accommodate veterans' disabilities. The bill now advances to the full House Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Some VA hospitals have fallen months or even years behind on reimbursing companies that install ramps, lifts, wheelchair tie-downs, and other necessary vehicle modifications for veterans. These delayed payments put a financial burden on small businesses, which may not be able to sustain work for the VA if they're not compensated in a timely manner. Barrett's CRUISE Act will centralize and streamline the process to provide prompt payments.

"Disabled veterans need accessible vehicles, but widespread payment backlogs discourage mobility equipment providers from partnering with the VA," said Barrett."These unacceptable delays hurt small businesses and our veterans. By standardizing a central reimbursement process within the VA, my bill will make sure providers are paid on time so veterans have access to reliable transportation. I'm grateful to my colleagues for helping advance this urgent legislation."

Click hereor above to watch Barrett's remarks in support of his bill.

Background information:

The VA's Automobile Adaptive Equipment (AAE) program pays for vehicle modifications necessary for veterans with service-connected disabilities to drive or to enter and exit their vehicles. As of May 2025, the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association was aware of nearly $11 million in paymentsowed to dealers that were more than 90 days overdue.

Barrett's Centralized Reimbursement for Upgraded Innovative Service Equipment (CRUISE) Act(H.R. 7083) would centralize the AAE reimbursement process at the VA Central Office and remove that responsibility from individual VA hospitals. The bill would also require the department to implement a process to track invoices and issue payments. If the department is unable to process a payment within 30 days, it must publish how many days are necessary to make the payment.

Barrett has been a leader on efforts to help disabled veterans with their transportation needs. Last year, the House unanimously approvedBarrett's Automotive Support Services to Improve Safe Transportation (ASSIST) Act, which would authorize the VA to cover a wider variety of vehicle modifications.

CLICK HEREto read the CRUISE Act.