McMorris Rodgers proposes $50M to improve services, outreach for veterans

Bipartisan, bicameral legislation introduced on July 21 by U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) would authorize the secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to award grants to states to improve outreach to United States military veterans.

“I have had too many conversations with veterans in eastern Washington who tell me they don’t have the resources they need to access their benefits,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers. “This is heartbreaking and it should not be the case.”

The Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act, H.R. 4601, which Rep. McMorris Rodgers introduced with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) would authorize $50 million annually for five years for competitive grants to expand the work of county veterans service officers (CVSOs), who help veterans and their families understand available resources and file benefit claims, and represent them in VA hearings, according to a bill summary provided by the congresswoman’s office.

If enacted, H.R. 4601 would award grants to states to improve outreach to veterans, assist in the development and submission of claims on behalf of veterans, hire additional CVSOs, and train CVSOs for VA accreditation, the summary says.

“By funding additional CVSOs in communities across the country – especially in rural areas – we are making a commitment to our veterans that we will not let them slip through the cracks,” Rep. McMorris Rodgers said. “This commonsense legislation is overdue, and it will go a long way towards ensuring those who served receive the benefits they’ve earned.”

Companion legislation, S. 2405, was introduced on July 21 by U.S. Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).