Wounded Warrior Access Act

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1226, as amended, the Wounded Warrior Access Act introduced by my good friend, neighbor, and chair of the House Democratic Caucus, Representative Pete Aguilar.

This bill would require VA to establish and maintain a secure internet-based portal to establish a claimant or their representative to make records requests related to VA claims and benefits.

Additionally, this bill contains a provision requiring VA to warn claimants about benefit scammers, provide a way to report potentially fraudulent activity, and provide a tool for claimants to search for accredited representation.

Currently, to make records requests related to VA claims and benefits, veterans or designated representatives must submit a Freedom of Information Act, otherwise known as a FOIA, or Privacy Act request.

Submitting this form, followed by waiting for it to upload into an individual's electronic claims file, and then awaiting action on the request can be time consuming and can negatively impact a claimant's ability to understand what records VA is evaluating and what information could better assist in a claim's positive adjudication.

Establishing and maintaining a secure, internet-based portal to enable a claimant or their representative to make records requests related to VA claims and benefits would modernize this essential process and assist in more timely, positive claim outcomes.

This bill would also add another tool in the toolbox for veterans when navigating the complexities of the claims process and will help veterans gain a little more autonomy over their claim.

It is my hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Aguilar), my good friend who serves on the House Appropriations Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I again ask all my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 1226, as amended, the Wounded Warrior Access Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1226) to amend title 38, United States Code, to allow for the electronic request of certain records, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 1226, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1226, as amended.

This bill will require VA to establish a secure online tool which veterans can use to request a copy of their VA claims file or C-file.

Veterans may want to see their records to ensure the VA received all the evidence they submitted. They may also use this information to decide whether to appeal VA's decision.

Currently, veterans must travel to the regional office to view their records, which is inconvenient, or they can request a copy by mail, which can take weeks or even months.

I support this bill because it would make it easier for veterans to get their VA records in a timely manner.

Furthermore, I have heard increasing concerns from veterans about bad actors attempting to con them out of their benefits. This is unacceptable.

H.R. 1226, as amended, would require VA to educate veterans about predatory actors when they log into the VA website. These warnings will prevent veterans from being taken advantage of.

I appreciate Representative Aguilar's leadership on this issue. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in support of this bill today.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I also encourage my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for his leadership, and I thank the chairman for his important work in this Congress and in this committee.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1226, the Wounded Warrior Access Act, for the same reasons my colleagues had mentioned.

When a veteran files their claim for benefits, they are given the C- file. For a veteran to view this C-file, they must either make an appointment at their local VA office, travel there to view it in person, submit a form through the mail or fax with no confirmation that it was ever received, or submit a Freedom of Information Act request for their file.

Throughout my time in Congress--I know I am not the only Member who has heard from a number of veterans who have had trouble accessing their C-files from the VA.

Just to put this in context, Mr. Speaker, our veterans need these files to access the benefits that they have earned or appeal the VA's decisions about their claim. That is why, Mr. Speaker, this is so important.

Veterans in the Inland Empire and across this country need an easy way to access this information without jumping through bureaucratic hoops.

This bipartisan bill is a commonsense solution that cuts this red tape and will help American veterans.

I again thank Chairman Bost, Ranking Member Takano, and members of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee for their leadership in bringing this bill to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 1226.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1226 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 11 o'clock and 32 minutes a.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until Monday next, November 13, 2023, at noon for morning-hour debate.