Rep. Paul Cook Reintroduces Prioritizing Urgent Claims for Veterans Act

[boardman]

Rep. Paul Cook Reintroduces Prioritizing Urgent Claims for Veterans Act
WASHINGTON – Rep. Paul Cook (R-Apple Valley) reintroduced HR 2286, the Prioritizing Urgent Claims for Veterans Act.

The bill will require the Department of Veterans Affairs to give priority status to those veterans who file claims and meet one of the following criteria: 1) have attained the age of 70; 2) are terminally ill; or 3) have a life-threatening illness. Last Congress, the Prioritizing Claims for Veterans Act passed the House Floor with overwhelming bipartisan support but was never considered by the democrat controlled Senate.

Cook said, “The intent of this legislation is to give priority to veterans who have urgent needs. However, nothing in this legislation would prevent the VA from creating additional priority groups. Until the claims backlog is resolved, we must make it a priority to care for veterans who are in most need of the benefits they have earned in service to their country. Last Congress, Senate Democrats failed to pass this important legislation which will help save veteran lives. I’m pleased to have reintroduced this bill and look forward to its swift passage by the House and Senate.”

This bill has been referred to the Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

A member of the House Natural Resources, Armed Services, and Foreign Affairs Committees, Cook served as an infantry officer and retired after 26 years as a Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps. During his time in combat, he was awarded the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.