Delaney Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Expedite Constituent Services for Veterans

Statement

Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) is a lead cosponsor of the WINGMAN Act, bipartisan legislation introduced today by Congressman Ted Yoho (FL-3). The WINGMAN Act is designed to cut through the bureaucratic backlog. The bill would allow certified veterans' advocates in congressional offices who are working on a veteran's behalf to have read-only access to the status of a pending VA claim and related necessary files. The legislation has been endorsed by AMVETS and has over 140 cosponsors.

The WINGMAN Act's lead cosponsors are Congressman Delaney, Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-9) and Congressman Rodney Davis (IL-13).

"We should be doing everything we can help America's veterans, starting with making sure they receive the benefits they've earned," said Congressman Delaney. "Maryland veterans come to us nearly every day because they are frustrated and need assistance. The WINGMAN Act cuts out the middleman, helps veterans get answers more quickly and reduces VA bureaucracy. The faster that veterans can receive information on the status of their applications and appeals, the faster they can update their claims, provide additional materials and find resolution. I thank Congressman Yoho for introducing this bill and am proud to stand with him in working to improve services for veterans."

"Our nation's Veterans have answered the call to protect us and the freedoms we enjoy every day," said Congressman Yoho. "It is only right that we do all we can to support and care for them. WINGMAN aims to do just that by expediting the claims process for all veterans who seek assistance. No service member should have to wait to receive benefits they have more than earned. I want to thank Rep. Delaney for his leadership on this important bill and his dedication to fighting for our nation's veterans. It is a privilege to have your support and I thank you for helping to lead the charge to enact this change, that is so desperately needed to better assist veterans and their families."

Currently, as caseworkers in congressional offices work with veterans and their families on a benefits claim they must contact regional VA offices for status updates. Due to the large number of VA claims nationwide, this additional step places an additional burden on the VA and delays the flow of information from the VA back to veterans. The WINGMAN Act simply allows them to directly access the electronic system used by the VA, cutting out the middleman and improving the level of service the caseworker can provide to the veteran and their family.

The WINGMAN Act passed the House in the 114th Congress, but was not taken up in the Senate.

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