{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://davidscott.house.gov/blog/?postid=357054", "Reducing the VA Backlog", "2013-10-28", "2013", "2013-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "David Scott", "S001157", "davidscott.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Scott is committed to making sure that veterans have timely access to benefits they have earned and he is working to end the disability claims backlog at the Department of Veterans Affairs\u2019 (VA).The number of VA disabilities claims has increased in the last few years\u00a0as more veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan began seeking benefits, and as eligibility for benefits was provided for new diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. There are over 700,000 disability claims pending, with over 400,000 in the backlog.\u00a0 Over the last six months, the backlog had been reduced by over 30%, or 190,000 claims. However, the unnecessary\u00a0government shutdown reduced the progress made on the veterans backlog and halted appeals.\u00a0\u00a0Today the House\u00a0passed H.R 2189 by a vote of 404-1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0H.R. 2189\u00a0establishes a special panel\u00a0to seek ways of eliminating the VA's backlog of disability claims and speeding up the claims appeal process. It also requires the VA to take a number of actions to speed up claims by prioritizing the processing of claims for the elderly and those with life-threatening illnesses.\u00a0 It also directs the VA to enter into agreements with other agencies to expedite the transfer of medical records and it establishes a training program for newly hired claims processors.\u00a0We have an obligation to care for and honor America's servicemen and women, their families, and our veterans for their bravery and sacrifice. If you have a concern with your VA case, please contact Congressman Scott's office.", 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": ["http://davidscott.house.gov/blog/?postid=357054"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.987772062420845, "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"}