Congressman David G. Valadao Joins Colleagues to Demand a Solution to NPRC Backlog Impacting Veterans

 WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman David G. Valadao joined a bipartisan group of 185 members of Congress calling on the Biden administration to take immediate action to address the backlog of approximately 480,000 record requests at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). In the letter sent to President Joe Biden and Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero, Congressman Valadao and his colleagues express the significant disadvantage this backlog places on veterans seeking earned benefits including as medical care, COVID-19 vaccines, disability compensation, and VA loans.

“Our veterans have made extraordinary sacrifices for our nation. Providing medical care, education, and other benefits for these men and women is an incredibly important responsibility,” said Congressman Valadao. “While I understand that the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to this backlog, it is imperative this issue is addressed immediately. The NPRC must promptly reopen with appropriate safety precautions so our veterans and their families can access the records they desperately need.”  

The NPRC received $15 million in emergency appropriations in December 2020 to address the records request backlog and increase staffing. Despite this funding, the backlog has since increased while many continue to wait on time-sensitive requests such as those needed to receive medical care or arrange military burials.

The letter can be found here.

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