By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Monday the House voted to pass five bi-partisan bills that are designed to provide critical resources and assistance to the nation’s veterans.
Congresswoman Martha Roby (R) from Montgomery announced that the five bills demonstrate a bi-partisan commitment to improving the lives of those who have served the country.
Rep. Roby said, “From working to reduce the outrageous backlog at the Veterans Administration to ensuring that our poorest veterans have ample opportunities for housing, these bills are critically-needed and deserve to pass right away. It is our collective duty as a nation to look out for the well-being of our veterans. Swift passage of this package of bills will enhance our education and job training programs, as well as extend a helping hand to homeless veterans.”
Rep. Roby said, “Alabama is home to more than 400,000 veterans. My offices in Dothan, Montgomery, and Andalusia work with veterans everyday who need help dealing with delays at the VA. Many of these cases represent a person who has served his or her country only to be denied the benefits they earned because of bureaucratic red tape. It is Congress’ role to provide oversight and ensure accountability of Executive agencies on behalf of the American people. I believe rewarding failure only leads to more failure, and I don’t see how this agency can justify giving bonuses to high-ranking officials in the midst of such a massive backlog.”
The bills include: H.R. 1742, the Vulnerable Veterans Housing Reform Act of 2013; H.R. 2189, which establishes a Commission to evaluate the backlog of disability claims of the Department of Veterans Affairs; H.R. 2481, the Veterans Economic Opportunity Act of 2013; H.R. 1405, which requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include an appeals form in any Notice of Decision issued for the Denial of a Benefit sought; and H.R. 2011, the Veterans Advisory Committee on Education Improvement Act.
Congresswoman Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District.
