[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 62 (Monday, April 7, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H1439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1715
DELIVER FOR VETERANS ACT
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 877) to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the
authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide or assist in
providing a vehicle adapted for operation by a disabled individual to
certain eligible persons, by paying expenses associated with the
delivery of such vehicle, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 877
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Deliver for Veterans Act''.
SEC. 2. AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO PAY
COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DELIVERY OF AN
ADAPTIVE VEHICLE TO AN ELIGIBLE PERSON.
Section 3902(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``by paying the total purchase price of the
automobile or other conveyance'' and inserting ``by paying
the total purchase price of the automobile or other
conveyance, and the total shipping price to deliver the
automobile or other conveyance to the veteran''.
SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN LIMITATION OF PENSION PAYMENTS.
Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``November 30, 2031'' and inserting
``March 31, 2032''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Bost) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
General Leave
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on
H.R. 877, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 877, as amended, offered
by my friend and colleague, the delegate from Guam (Mr. Moylan).
H.R. 877, as amended, would allow the VA to pay for the shipping
price of specially adapted vehicles for disabled veterans. Currently,
service-connected disabled veterans who are unable to drive due to
their disability can work with the VA to get a vehicle that is adapted
for their use.
This is an important program and helps disabled veterans in their
daily lives by allowing them to drive to medical appointments, to the
grocery store, and to work. Unfortunately, shipping costs are not
currently covered, creating a financial burden on veterans who want to
make their lives better.
While this might not be an issue for some veterans, other veterans
are unable to get a vehicle adapted for them because there are no
resources capable of making the vital modifications nearby.
Delegate Moylan's bill would correct this issue by including shipping
costs in the $24,000 the VA provides to support veterans who are having
trouble accessing the resources they need for any adapted vehicle.
In a time when bureaucracy is getting in the way of doing what is
best for our veterans, Congress must intervene to eliminate the red
tape and provide the necessary assistance our veterans deserve.
This bill would do just that and would save hundreds of dollars for
disabled veterans across the country. It would also ensure that the
disabled veterans have the ability to get to a job and earn money to
support themselves and their families.
I thank the DAV and the VFW for supporting this bill last Congress
and for their tireless work on the Hill advocating for this
legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 877, as
amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for H.R. 877, the Deliver
for Veterans Act. This bill would make it easier for disabled veterans
to obtain the adaptive automobiles they are entitled to through their
service-connected disability. If signed into law, this bill could save
veterans tens of thousands of dollars on shipping costs of vehicles.
Two Congresses ago, we passed the Veterans Auto and Education
Improvement Act, a bill authored by Ranking Member Mike Levin and
Representative Lizzie Fletcher, which expanded the adaptive auto
benefit for veterans, allowing them to get a new vehicle if 10 years
have passed since last using the benefit.
This bill from Representative Moylan builds upon that work by
simplifying the process for veterans who require their adaptive vehicle
to be shipped. This includes veterans who live in areas such as Guam,
Puerto Rico, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Again, I support the substance of this bill, but I think we should
have a very serious conversation about the majority's choice to
perpetuate cutting veterans' pensions. I believe that we should include
this item in any negotiations with the Senate before this bill becomes
law.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in the House and Senate to support
this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
delegate from Guam (Mr. Moylan).
Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 877, the
Deliver for Veterans Act, a critical piece of legislation addressing
challenges faced by veterans in remote areas, including Guam.
As the Representative of a region where the unavailability of
adaptive vehicles poses a significant barrier to our veterans, I urge
my colleagues to support this essential measure.
Veterans in remote districts across our Nation face immense
challenges because of the lack of access to adaptive vehicles. These
vehicles are essential for veterans with disabilities to lead
independent and fulfilling lives.
Unfortunately, the high cost of shipping to remote areas has created
an insurmountable obstacle for many of our veterans. They are forced to
cover the expensive shipping fee, a cost that should not be borne by
those who have already sacrificed so much for our country.
Whether it is for medical appointments, running errands, or simply
visiting family and friends, adaptive vehicles are a lifeline for
veterans in Guam. H.R. 877 will provide much-needed relief to our
veterans, ensuring that they can access the support and services they
rightfully deserve without facing financial hardships.
Let us stand together in solidarity with our veterans in Guam and all
areas around the world and ensure that they receive the support they
need and deserve.
Mr. Speaker, I implore each and every one of my esteemed colleagues
to join me in supporting H.R. 877, the Deliver for Veterans Act.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 877,
the Deliver for Veterans Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this
bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Barrett). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 877, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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