Edison, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today held a roundtable on veterans’ issues at Edison VFW Post 3117 with Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald Rios. During the roundtable, Pallone gave an update on legislation that has recently passed in the House of Representatives and heard directly from veterans about the issues they are facing. He also discussed ways to improve student GI benefits and veterans’ health care as well as ways to prevent veteran homelessness.
“I’m grateful to everyone who joined us today for my update on what Congress is doing to help the veteran community. It’s important to hear from veterans in our community directly so that we can uphold our promise to them when they complete their service to our country,” Pallone said. “I’ll continue my work in Congress to strengthen and expand quality health care for veterans, modernize the Department of Veterans’ Affairs for the 21st century, and address the financial challenges our veterans face.”
Pallone sent a letter to Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough requesting more information on financial hardship and loan debt owed by student veterans, including how much of debt is held by private predatory lenders. Pallone also urged the Secretary to take meaningful steps to help ease the financial burdens of student veterans and bolster awareness campaigns to inform veterans about their benefits.
Pallone has been a longtime advocate for veterans issues. His Homeless Veterans Credit Repair, Enhancement, and Debt Improvement for Tomorrow (CREDIT) Act passed in the House of Representatives in 2021. The bill directs the Secretary of the VA to conduct a study of the effectiveness of credit and financial counseling services offered to homeless and housing unstable veterans. The study will explore these services and the barriers to them and provide recommendations for improvements to credit counseling services. Credit and financial counseling services remain a top ten unmet need for our nation’s homeless veterans.
Pallone voted in support of the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act when it passed in the House of Representatives in March. The legislation expands access to care and benefits for veterans who were exposed to toxic burn pits and hazardous airborne substances during their military service.
Pallone also supported House passage of the Ensuring Veterans' Smooth Transition (EVEST) Act. The bipartisan legislation automatically enrolls eligible servicemembers in VA health care and gives them the choice to opt out as they transition out of the military. It makes the transition to civilian life smoother for servicemembers and ensures veterans are using the benefits they earned.
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