HOUSE PASSES TWO PIECES OF LEGISLATION INTRODUCED BY REP. NANCY MACE TO HELP OUR VETERANS

These bills will help support our veterans and their families financially. 

Washington, D.C. - Today, the House passed both Rep. Nancy Mace’s Faster Payments to Veterans Survivors’ Act (H.R.8260) and the Student Veterans Emergency Relief Act (H.R.7939). Rep. Mace has issued the following statement on the passage of these important legislation:

“Not one, but two bills our office worked tirelessly on to help ensure our veterans receive the benefits they deserve were passed on the House floor today,” said Rep. Mace. With so many veterans in our district and across the country, we owe it to them, as we serve those who have served us.”

On Faster Payments to Veterans Survivors’ Act:

“Our brave servicemembers put their lives on the line for our country.We must ensure the family members and spouses of the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice are quickly provided the funds and services they need to avoid financial uncertainty,” said Rep. Mace. "This legislation will improve the VA’s management of undispersed life insurance funds, ensuring the surviving families of our nation’s heroes receive timely payments.”

Rep. Chris Papas (D-NH-01) also shared his thoughts:

“It is of the utmost importance that veterans’ families and beneficiaries do not face undue barriers or delays in receiving their benefits and payments. By ensuring that family members and spouses have the resources and support that they need, we continue to honor and pay tribute to those who have sacrificed for our country,”said Congressman Chris Pappas. “The Faster Payments to Veterans’ Survivors Act will allow the VA to better identify and locate surviving family members of recently deceased veterans and make sure they receive payments in a timely manner. I am proud of the bipartisan effort that enabled the House to pass this much-needed reform and hope the Senate will act swiftly on this important legislation.”

On Student Veterans Emergency Relief Act:

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress pushed to pass important legislation to protect veterans’ GI benefits from lapsing,”said Rep. Mace. “This legislation will extend those important safeguards to ensure their access to education benefits doesn’t happen again in future emergencies.” 

BACKGROUND:

Faster Payments to Veterans Survivors’ Act (H.R.8260):

This bill would:

• Shorten the time frame in which VA is authorized to designate, contact, and pay primary and appropriate alternate insurance beneficiaries from 2 years to 1 year and from 4 years to 2 years, respectively. Existing statutory constraints delay the release of undisbursed funds.
• Ensure that the procedures for paying alternate beneficiaries are uniformly applied and consistent between VA life insurance programs.
• Improve and better publicize an existing online tool that veterans’ families can use to search for money they may be owed.
• Ensure VA has the staff it needs to reach hard-to-find beneficiaries. 
• Set a goal of disbursing all funds that are owed to a survivor of a deceased veteran or beneficiary within two years.
• Require a report to Congress within 180 days on VA’s progress

The bill is supported by Veteran Services Organizations (VSOs) including veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Military  Officers Association of America (MOAA), Modern Military Association of America (MMAA), and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA).

Student Veterans Emergency Relief Act (H.R.7939):

When COVID-19 began, many veterans stood to lose a significant portion of their education benefits when their classes were interrupted. For example, existing law required VA to make significant cuts to the housing benefits afforded to student veterans who were taking classes remotely, even though many student veterans transitioned to online coursework during the pandemic. Others were unable to continue classes at all and faced the expiration of their benefits. Meanwhile, student veterans working on campus through VA’s work-study program were poised to lose income as physical locations closed. In response, Congress took action to provide flexibility and prevent cuts to veterans’ benefits.

The Student Veteran Emergency Relief Act would allow the VA to extend those GI Bill and VR&E flexibilities on any future emergency declared by the president.

ABOUT

Congresswoman Nancy Mace grew up in the Lowcountry. She is the daughter of a retired Army General and retired school teacher. Before being sworn into Congress, Nancy earned accolades as one of the most fiscally conservative members of the South Carolina General Assembly; she’s also one of the most pro-conservation lawmakers in the state of South Carolina. Nancy is the recipient of the 2019 Taxpayer Hero Award from the South Carolina Club for Growth; she has a 100% record of voting to lower taxes. Nancy is also the recipient of the Champion Award from Palmetto Goodwill for her efforts in education and in helping those most in need receive job training; she has a 100 percent rating with Conservation Voters of South Carolina.