Jun. 2—TOBYHANNA — U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan Jr., on Monday said “at the heart of everything we do” is the belief that government should work better for the people it serves.
“And that starts with our veterans,” said Bresnahan, R-Dallas Township. “Those who have risked their lives for our country shouldn’t be forced to deal with government red tape just to access the benefits they rightfully earned while wearing our nation’s uniform. I am proud to recognize the more than 40,000 veterans in Northeastern Pennsylvania — this legislation is dedicated to them, and I will continue to work every day on behalf of them and our community.”
Bresnahan held a press conference with local veterans and members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3448 to recognize veterans and bring awareness to his recently passed legislation, H.R. 1286 — the Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act.
Bresnahan was joined by more than a dozen local veterans, including VFW Post 3448 Commander Greg Schultz; second-generation veteran Tony Andriola; and VFW Post 3448 Senior Vice Commander Jackie Boucher, who all gave brief remarks. Monroe County Commissioners Chairman John Christy and Vice Chairman David Parker were also in attendance.
Bresnahan said he introduced the Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act to simplify the forms process to make VA standard forms more user-friendly. Bresnahan said he introduced the bill on Feb. 13, and it passed unanimously out of the House Committee on Veteran’s Affairs on May 6.
Bresnahan said he spoke on the House Floor May 19 about the legislation before its passage out of the U.S. House by a vote of 386-1.
Bresnahan said the Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act would require VA to contract with a nonpartisan, federally funded research entity to conduct a study on, and provide recommendations for, revising VA forms to be more understandable for veterans and their survivors. Following this study, the VA Secretary would be required to report findings to Congress and implement recommendations.
At the press conference, Bresnahan also previewed the launch of a new initiative to expand constituent services across Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District with the introduction of a mobile office — known as the BresnaVan. Additional details on the BresnaVan and its operations will be announced later this week.
“Our mission is to make government more accessible, responsive, and present in every corner of the district,” Bresnahan said. “The BresnaVan will allow us to reach communities where we don’t have permanent offices and make sure every constituent has access to the support and services they deserve.”
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.