President Joe Biden on Tuesday signed four bipartisan bills benefiting veterans into law, including a measure that would order a study on race and ethnicity disparities related to Department of Veterans Affairs compensation benefits.
"Keeping faith with American veterans requires much more than laying wreaths or making more oaths. It requires acts," Biden said.
S. 1031, sponsored by Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study race and ethnicity disparities in compensation benefits administered by VA, disability ratings determined by VA, and claims rejection for VA benefits.
“The weapons of war and the nature of injuries they inflict don’t differentiate based on race,” Biden said.
The bill requires that GAO brief Congress on the study results within a year and submit a report on its findings.
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The Hire Veteran Health Heroes Act of 2021 requires the VA and Defense Department to develop a program that actively recruits and hires medical personnel in federal health care jobs following their military service.
The measure was introduced by Sens. Mike Braun (R-Ind), and Maggie Hassan, (D-N.H), and Reps. Kathleen Rice (D-N.Y), and Bob Latta (R-Ohio). It passed both houses of Congress unanimously.
“For both our veterans and our military medical personnel, service isn’t just what they do, it’s who they are,” Biden said.
The Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act of 2021 will expand in-state tuition benefits for family members of veterans.
“For so many of our service members, their service to us is also about building a better life for themselves and for their families,” Biden said.
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The law ensures that surviving spouses and children of veterans who access the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program are eligible for in-state tuition wherever they choose to go to school, regardless of what state they live in.
The bill was introduced by Sens. John Tester (D-Mont), and Jerry Moran (R-Kan) and Reps. Barry Moore (R-Ala), and David Trone (D-Md). It passed unanimously in both chambers of Congress.
The Protecting Moms Who Served Act of 2021, directs the VA to begin a maternity care coordination program giving providers training and support to address the needs of pregnant and postpartum veterans.
The bill authorizes $15 million in additional program funding for fiscal year 2022 and was introduced by Iraq war veteran Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Il), Sen. Susan Collins (D-ME) and Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Il). It passed the Senate unanimously. Only nine House members, all of whom are Republican, voted against the measure.
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Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.