WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Brian Mast’s (FL-18) bipartisan legislation to avoid the expiration of critical veterans programs today passed the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously. Without action from Congress, the authority for the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out numerous programs that help veterans will expire at the end of the week. 

“The heroic men and women that I fought alongside in our Armed Forces have earned the very best care our country has to offer, but without this immediate action from Congress, veterans could have lost access to benefits, health care, support for the homeless and more,” Rep. Mast said. “The Senate must now do its part and get this commonsense, bipartisan bill to the President’s desk!”

The Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2017 extends a number of expiring authorities impacting veterans’ benefits, health care, and homeless programs, including nursing home care, support services for caregivers, transportation, child care assistance, adaptive sports programs and housing and home loan services. 

“The men and women who have served our nation, along with their caregivers, dependents and survivors, rely on key programs at VA for support,” Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Phil Roe (TN-1) said. “I thank Rep. Mast for his leadership on this essential legislation to extend the authorities of many VA programs and aid in the administration’s implementation of the Forever GI Bill.”

Read the bill here.

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