Pelosi Lauds Improved Benefits for Veterans

By Courtney Ann Jackson-Talk Radio News Service

Veterans and their families are receiving attention and better benefits as result of the recently passed supplemental bill, according to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. She expressed her delight for the military families during her weekly press briefing. Pelosi also said the legislation not only helped our service men and women but included a provision that extends the G.I. Bill of Rights to families of the fallen.

“When we passed the bill last year, we were very proud of it. You would be able to transfer benefits, from a veteran who wasn’t interested in using it, to a family member. What emerged in conversations with family members is that if your family member fell in combat, you lost the benefit. So for us, this is a specific but very important improvement,” said Pelosi

She said members of the House met with veteran service organizations this week and the organizations that were pleased with how the new law will benefit them.

Members of the House were also able to announce advanced appropriations funding this week. It is something the veteran service organizations have been requesting for years and Pelosi said that it was “a giant step forward.”

As she continued to discuss what the House is doing to help U.S. service men and women she noted a change on what she called the “authorizing side.” The Armed Services Committee marked up its bill. That includes a pay raise for veterans, $1.9 billion for family housing and an internship pilot program for military spouses.