Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8260, as amended, the bipartisan Faster Payments to Veterans' Survivors Act, will result in important help for the surviving family members of recently deceased veterans. Families often face financial hardship when a veteran life insurance policyholder dies, making timely payment of these VA benefits is therefore essential. The VA does an admirable job of quickly paying the vast majority of beneficiaries upon the death of a loved one. Yet, in other cases, for a variety of reasons, VA is unable to determine the identity or location of a surviving spouse, child, or family member. At the end of the fiscal year 2020, the Department owed more than $150 million in undisbursed life insurance proceeds to nearly 15,000 survivors. Approximately 10 percent of this money had been owed for more than 5 years. This legislation, introduced by Representative Chris Pappas ensures that VA will make the necessary improvements to expedite these life insurance payments with a goal of disbursing all unpaid benefits within 2 years. The bill is cosponsored by more than 40 Members on both sides of the aisle, and it has the support of a half-dozen veteran service organizations, including the VFW, America Legion, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Vietnam Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America, Modern Military Association of America, and Paralyzed Veterans of America. Mr.…”