Brown Disappointed With Delays As VA Makes Emergency GI Bill Payments

Statement

Today, Henry E. Brown, Jr. (R-SC) Ranking Republican of the Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health, made the following statement on Secretary Shinseki's recent announcement that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) would provide "emergency payments" to veterans who are awaiting payment of their education claims:

"As a proud co-sponsor of the House's version of legislation that modernizes the GI Bill and provides enhanced educational benefits to our returning service members, we fought hard to get these historic new benefits enacted. I am very disappointed that these deserving men and women did not receive their benefits in a timely and efficient manner.

While my colleagues and I work hard to extend veteran's benefits daily, making sure that the delivery and execution of those benefits is swift and productive should be our first priority.

It is unfortunate that the Secretary must now offer ‘emergency payments' to veterans when the funding could have been provided with the proper communication from the VA.

Chronically late funding for the needs of our veterans is a problem that must be corrected, and my colleagues and I will continue to work diligently with the VA to achieve our ultimate goal of providing satisfactory and timely care for all of our nation's heroes."

To learn more about Congressman Brown's efforts for veterans please visit: http://brown.house.gov/Issues/veterans.html.

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