Deliver for Veterans Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, I will talk about a significant piece of legislation that would benefit many of our Nation's heroes residing in very remote locations, H.R. 522, the Deliver for Veterans Act.
This bill is a significant step forward in ensuring our veterans receive the care, support, and service they not only deserve but that is also legally available. However, obtaining some of these benefits can be challenging because of location.
Currently, a program with the Department of Veterans Affairs allows disabled veterans to receive about $25,000 to purchase an adaptive vehicle. However, veterans residing in remote areas, such as Guam, Hawaii, Alaska, or other jurisdictions throughout the Nation, would have to pay the rates to ship the vehicle to their homes. It would easily cost between $3,000 to $4,000 for a vehicle to be shipped to Guam or Hawaii. I can't imagine the shipping costs if it came from the West Coast.
H.R. 522 addresses this problem by including shipping costs as part of the program. This ensures that a veteran with a disability can obtain an adaptive vehicle from this program and have it delivered to their home.
The legislation would assist many veterans residing in my district of Guam, which has among the Nation's highest number of veterans per capita. H.R. 522 would also benefit veterans residing in other territories, such as the Northern Marianas and American Samoa. Moreover, it would support those residing in noncontiguous States, such as Hawaii and Alaska, and greatly help veterans living in rural communities throughout the Nation.
This legislation needs to be passed. This bill is another step toward closing many gaps of inadequate care for veterans living in remote areas.
I appreciate my colleagues' support in continuing to deliver our promise to those who served. Veterans have sacrificed so much for our freedoms. It is our duty and moral obligation to ensure they receive the highest standard of care and support when they return home.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all the Members to support H.R. 522 and work together to give back to our veterans who have already given so much to our country.
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