A bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) to improve the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) specially adaptive housing program became law last week with the president’s signature.
“Veterans have sacrificed much to serve our country, and I am pleased this legislation focused on improving their quality of life has been signed into law by President Trump,” Sen. Moran said.
The Ryan Kules and Paul Benne Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2019, H.R. 3504, introduced in June 2019, was signed into law on Aug. 8. Sen. Moran, in June 2019, also introduced the same-named related bill S. 2022 in his chamber with cosponsor U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ).
The measure is named after Spring Hill, Kan., native Army Colonel (Ret.) Paul Benne and Captain (Ret.) Ryan Kules and will expand Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) eligibility for blind and seriously injured U.S. military veterans, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Moran’s office.
“This legislation will provide our nation’s veterans greater support through a modernized and expanded SAH grant program, allowing the grants to be utilized in a way that best fits the needs of the veteran,” explained Sen. Moran.
Kules, who is the combat stress recovery director at the Wounded Warrior Project, thanked Senator Moran for his efforts to get the bill passed. “This badly needed reform will give thousands of seriously wounded, injured, and ill veterans the financial support to adapt their homes to better match their changing stages of life,” he said.