WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) voted to pass five bills that will expand access to benefits for veterans and their survivors, increase Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan and education programs, and make filing VA claims and reaching benefits more accessible online.

“We owe it to our veterans to find ways to fill in the gaps in their benefits and deliver the support they have earned,” said Congressman Kim. “I am proud to help pass these bills today that will dramatically improve VA systems and increase the amount and quality of assistance veterans and their survivors have access to.”

Congressman Kim voted to pass the following pieces of legislation:

• Student Veteran Emergency Relief Act of 2022 - This bill combats set-backs experienced from remote learning and fills gaps in GI Bill benefits by extending GI Bill flexibilities granted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill also supports student veterans with improved and extended readiness and employment programs, housing benefits, tuition coverage, and support for servicemembers and their spouses.
• Veterans’ Compensation Cost of Living Adjustment Act of 2022- This bill brings veteran compensation up to the current cost-of-living, including increasing wartime disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, clothing allowances for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. 
• Improving Access to the VA Home Loan Benefit Act of 2022- This bill directs the VA Secretary to update requirements on loans that are guaranteed through the VA and conduct a review of home loan delays to fix backlogs.
• Wounded Warrior Access Act- This bill will provide funding to launch a website for VA record requests that relate to claims and benefits so that veterans can access their own records easier.
• Faster Payments to Veterans Survivors’ Act of 2022- This bill will improve the process at the VA to reach the survivors of deceased veterans, shortening the time it takes to deliver them the life insurance benefits they are owed.

Congressman Kim has previously voted for theSergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act to ensure all veterans exposed to toxic chemicals during their service have access to the care and benefits they need and deserve. Congressman Kim has worked on behalf of veterans since his first day in office, including doubling America’s investment in veteran suicide prevention outreach programs, delivering a new, state-of-the-art VA health clinic to Toms River, honoring Gold Star families, securing $621 million for veteran opioid abuse prevention, held a roundtable with veterans and servicemembers on suicide prevention, and recently received the New Jersey VFW’s Legislator of the Year award. 

Congressman Kim is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Committee on Small Business. More information about Congressman Kim can be found on his website by clicking here.

Original source found here.