{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://pappas.house.gov/media/press-releases/pappas-introduces-package-of-bipartisan-veterans-bills", "Pappas Introduces Package of Bipartisan Veterans Bills", "2024-07-22", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Chris Pappas", "P000614", "pappas.house.gov", "pappas", "https://pappas.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Last week Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Ranking Member of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) Subcommittee of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee (HVAC), introduced three bipartisan bills to improve processes at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and expand eligibility for survivors\u2019 benefits, insurance coverage, and burial processes. These bills are the Gulf War Survivor Benefits Update Act, co-led by Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02), as well as the VA Insurance Improvement Act, and Veterans\u2019 Burial Improvement Act, both co-led by Congressman James Moylan (GU-AL).\n\n\u201cService members, veterans, and their families deserve our utmost respect for the sacrifices they make for us and our country. These bipartisan bills not only make commonsense improvements to these programs but expand and enhance access to VA survivors, insurance, and burial benefits,\u201d said Congressman Pappas. \u201cMy legislation protects the survivors pensions of Gulf War spouses and dependents, makes all veterans under the age of 81 years old eligible for VA Life Insurance, and safeguards VA\u2019s ability to bury spouses and dependents who predecease service members. We must ensure our veterans receive the benefits and services they are owed, and I\u2019ll continue working to address the needs of service members, veterans, and their families in New Hampshire and across the country.\u201d\n\n\u201cSpouses of our veterans who have gone before us have also made tremendous sacrifices on behalf of our nation, and this legislation will give the spouses of Gulf War veterans peace of mind that their sacrifices will not go unnoticed. I am proud to partner with Congressman Pappas on this commonsense legislation and will always be an advocate for our veterans and military families,\u201d said Congressman Yakym.\n\n\u201cI'm proud to co-lead the VA Insurance Improvement Act and Veterans\u2019 Burial Improvement Act alongside my colleague, Rep. Pappas. Both of these bills are important steps towards honoring our commitment to veterans and their families who have made immense sacrifices for our country. This legislation is a small token of our appreciation for their service and dedication,\u201d said Congressman Moylan.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Gulf War Survivor Benefits Update Act would ensure surviving spouses of Gulf War veterans remain eligible for survivors\u2019 pension by extending the statutory marriage delimiting date.\n\nThe VA Insurance Improvement Act would improve and update VA insurance coverage. Specifically, it would:\n\nExtend eligibility for VA Life Insurance (VALife) coverage for all veterans under 81 years old, regardless of service-connected disability status;\n\nAllow for Veterans\u2019 Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI) administrative expenses to be reimbursed from the VMLI program funds;\n\nAdd Space Force to the definition of \u201cuniformed service\u201d for the purpose of eligibility for the Servicemembers\u2019 Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program.\n\nThe Veterans\u2019 Burial Improvement Act would update burial standards and eligibility for service members\u2019 families, Medal of Honor recipients, and veterans. Specifically, it would:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://pappas.house.gov/media/press-releases/pappas-introduces-package-of-bipartisan-veterans-bills"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5970140229910612, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}