{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-calls-for-action-on-disability-claims-backlog-bill-as-pa-vets-continue-to-wait-as-long-as-an-average-of-266-days-to-see-claim-resolved", "Casey Calls for Action on Disability Claims Backlog Bill as PA Vets Continue to Wait As Long As An Average of 266 Days to See Claim Resolved", "2014-11-10", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Philadelphia, PA- Ahead of Veterans Day, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) called for action on a disability claims backlog bill as Pennsylvania veterans continue to wait as long as an average of 266 days to see their claims resolved. Joined by Philadelphia veterans who have experienced difficulties with the claims process, Casey released a new letter calling for action on a bill to reform the disability claims process. Casey\u2019s bill has broad bipartisan backing and he will push for passage in the new Congress.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe backlog has been a persistent and inexcusable problem,\u201d said Senator Casey. \u201cWe must take actions that are worthy of the valor and sacrifice of our veterans. Our nation\u2019s heroes shouldn\u2019t have to wait for months or more for their claims to be addressed. It is unacceptable that some veterans in Pennsylvania have waited a year or longer to get their disability claims processed.\u00a0 Veterans deserve a comprehensive and permanent solution to this problem, and this legislation will ensure we reach that goal.\u201d\r\nDetails of the 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act:\r\nWhereas the VA Backlog Working Group March 2014 Report identifies problems in current processes, the 21st\u00a0Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act aims to provide a comprehensive solution. The bill is divided into three sections:\r\nTitle I \u2013 Benefits Claims Submission.\u00a0This section is designed to encourage, assist, and educate veterans on the benefits of submitting a completed claim, when possible, as well as reinforce the services available to help a veteran complete a claim.\r\n \r\nIncludes proposals to improve veterans\u2019 access to information about the claims process;\r\nProvides Veterans Service Organizations and veterans\u2019 preferred secondary contact with better access to information;\r\nAuthorizes monetary benefits to incentivize developed claims submission.\r\n \r\nTitle II - Reforming Practices of Regional Offices.\u00a0\u00a0Personnel and management must be given tools to perform efficiently. This section requires the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) to make structural changes that increase accuracy and efficiency at the regional office level in the following ways:\r\n \r\nCalls for audit of regional offices of the Veterans Benefits Administration;\r\nEnsures improved accountability and oversight of VARO management;\r\nProvides resources to VBA employees and implements changes in process that allows VBA employees to move claims through the electronic benefits awards structure more efficiently;\r\nImproves transparency to the public on the size and scope of the current backlog.\r\n \r\nTitle III - Government Response.\u00a0This section holds the government accountable and helps to ensure the claims process is a priority.\r\n \r\nDemands greater cooperation from federal agencies to transfer requested information;\r\nPresses VBA employees to process information it receives from these agencies in a timely fashion.\r\n \r\nThe text of Senator Casey\u2019s letter is attached.\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "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://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-calls-for-action-on-disability-claims-backlog-bill-as-pa-vets-continue-to-wait-as-long-as-an-average-of-266-days-to-see-claim-resolved"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 4.321741871535778, "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"}