Tom Udall: “I strongly support H.R. 2540, the Veterans Benefits Act of 2001. This legislation provides an important annual…”

“I strongly support H.R. 2540, the Veterans Benefits Act of 2001. This legislation provides an important annual cost-of-living adjustment for disabled veterans, as well as surviving spouses of veteran's who receive dependency and indemnity compensation. H.R. 2540 also makes a number of important changes to improve insurance, compensation, and housing programs for our nation's veterans. I want to thank Chairman Smith, Ranking Member Evans, and my colleagues on the Veterans' Affairs Committee for supporting the inclusion of provisions from H.R. 1929, the Native American Veterans Home Loan Act of 2001, in H.R. 2540. Ranking Member Evans, fourteen other Members and I introduced H.R. 1929 on May 21st of this year to extend the Native American Veterans Home Loan Pilot Program for another four years, and expedite the process of obtaining VA home loans for Native American Veterans living on tribal and trust lands. This program helps many Native Americans Veterans who might otherwise be unable to obtain suitable housing. Including the important provisions of H.R. 1929 in H.R. 2540 will allow other Native American Veterans to take advantage of this important program. The Native American Veterans Home Loan Pilot Program, however, is just one of many VA benefits improved through H.R. 2540. I ask my colleagues to join me in support of these important benefit enhancements for the men and women who have sacrificed so much in defense of liberty and democracy.”