WASHINGTON – Today, the House unanimously passed H.R. 7342, the Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act. The bill, introduced by Congressman Valadao earlier this year, aims to make the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) more accessible for disabled veterans by establishing a permanent advisory committee within the VA to allow for direct and regular communication with the Secretary on behalf of disabled veterans.

“Central Valley veterans deserve a VA that’s responsive to their needs, but sadly many of our disabled veterans are getting left behind,” said Congressman Valadao. “This bill ensures disabled veterans have a seat at the table in providing feedback directly to the Secretary of the VA so they can easily access the benefits, services, and facilities they’ve earned. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to get this bill across the finish line.”

Congressman Valadao spoke in support of his bill on the House Floor during debate. Watch his remarks here.

Remarks as prepared for delivery:

Thank you to the Gentleman for yielding.

I rise today to urge my colleagues to support my bill, the Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act.

Sadly, many disabled veterans in the Central Valley and across the country are facing barriers in accessing the critical services they need.

From struggling with physical infrastructure at VA facilities to navigating the red tape in the benefits process, disabled veterans are too often getting left behind.

Doorways that are too narrow, elevators that are constantly out of service, and exam rooms that aren’t big enough to accommodate wheelchairs are just a few of the obstacles veterans face when trying to receive care.

Serving disabled veterans is a critical part of the VA’s mission, but they need to do more to ensure the unique needs of disabled veterans are being heard.

By establishing a permanent advisory committee within the VA, my bill ensures disabled veterans have a seat at the table in providing feedback so they can easily access the benefits, services, and facilities they’ve earned.

We cannot leave our disabled veterans behind.

Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our nation, and they deserve a VA that’s responsive to their needs. 

I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation. Thank you and I yield back.

Background: 

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has responsibilities to disabled veterans under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act, and other laws that require equal access to benefits, services, information, and facilities for individuals with disabilities. VA serves or employs thousands of veterans with disabilities and has a special obligation to support them. While VA has made some progress in recent years improving accessibility as a result of the VA Website Accessibility Act of 2019, [P.L. 116-213], much more needs to be done. The Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2024 would require the VA Secretary to create an advisory committee on issues relating to the accessibility of VA benefits, services, and facilities for veterans and employees with mobility impairments, hearing, visual, cognitive, or other disabilities. The advisory committee would be composed of 15 disabled veterans, experts, employees, and veteran service organization representatives.

Read a one page summary of the bill here. 
Read the full text of the bill here. 

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