Congressman Keller Fights for Timely Service Records for Veterans, Continues to Call on the National Personnel Records Center to Fully Reopen

Statement

Today, Congressmen Fred Keller (PA-12), Mike Bost (IL-12), Cliff Bentz (OR-02), and 110 House Republican cosigners sent a letter to Archivist of the United States David Ferriero, calling on the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) to fully reopen. This letter comes in response to the agency reverting to 25% in-person staff, leading to prolonged wait times for veterans requesting service records.

The NPRC is the federal entity responsible for processing documentation and records requests necessary for veterans to access VA benefits, adjudicate disability claims, and request a commendation, award, or regalia.

"We write on behalf of our constituents and veterans across the nation who are being severely impacted by the unacceptable delay in responding to requests for assistance by the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), an agency of the National Archives and Records Administration," said the lawmakers.

"In your October 2021 letter, you stated that your goal for November was to reach approximately 75% of on-site personnel through skeleton schedules. The NPRC is back tracking once again on this promise by decreasing in-person staff. We request that you report on your plan to re-open the NPRC to full capacity and remediate its backlog in a briefing open to all Members of the House of Representatives," the lawmakers continued.

On the letter, Congressman Keller made the following statement:

"The National Personnel Records Center has gone back on its commitment to reopen in-person operations to the detriment of America's veterans who expect their government to provide basic resources in a timely manner. The fact that processing times at the NPRC may take up to 18 months is not only unacceptable, but also an insult to every man and woman who sacrificed to protect our nation. The lack of transparency at the NPRC has made it clear that we must pass legislation, like the RECORDS Act, to direct the NPRC to fully reopen and report to Congress on its efforts to clear out its backlog of records requests."

Congressman Mike Bost, Ranking Member, Veterans' Affairs Committee (IL-12):

"Repeatedly I have been calling for the White House to develop a plan to fully staff the NPRC to chip away at the backlog of veterans' record requests. While I am encouraged that the NPRC has made strides since this time last year for records requests originating from VA, veterans are still waiting weeks to months on end for their own records requests. We owe them better service. I thank my friends, Rep. Bentz, and Rep. Keller, and our 110 other colleagues for joining me in sending this letter to the Archivist on behalf of the veterans and their families who are stuck in limbo."

Congressman Cliff Bentz (OR-02):

"The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has not maintained full capacity, in-person, employment since March 2020. Since then, many Veterans in Oregon and across the nation have not received records they need to demonstrate their military service and verify their service-connected conditions. As a result, these individuals cannot receive the medical care, disability compensation, and retirement pay they have earned. In some instances, the NPRC is the only agency that can provide Veterans with these records. It's time for the NPRC to do its job. I am grateful to Congressman Fred Keller and Ranking Member Mike Bost for joining me in leading this effort."

Read the full letter here.

Background:

Since November 2020, Congressman Keller has been working to pressure the NRPC to take all necessary actions to eliminate the growing backlog of unprocessed records requests. He and several bipartisan colleagues have repeatedly called for the NPRC to work with Congress toward a solution.

In April 2021, Congressman Keller sent a letter to David Ferriero, Archivist of the United States National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), requesting immediate action to eliminate the backlog and demanding information about the administration's plans to expedite records requests.

In May 2021, Congressman Keller participated in the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs' Member Day hearing about frustrations he has heard from constituents related to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) and its growing backlog of unprocessed requests for documentation from veterans and military families.

In June 2021, Congressman Keller introduced the RECORDS Act, legislation that directs the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) to fully reopen and report to Congress on its efforts to expedite the records requests of veterans who--in some cases--have waited over a year for documentation necessary to receive benefits. The RECORDS Act currently has 74 cosponsors.

In July 2021, Congressman Keller and Oversight Committee Ranking Member James Comer (KY-01) led a letter to Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney, calling for an immediate hearing on the matter.

Source