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Veterans

As the son of a Vietnam War veteran, Congressman Alex Mooney believes we must prioritize the health and well-being of our service members, veterans, and their families. Since taking office in January 2015, Congressman Alex Mooney has helped the House of Representatives pass more dozens of veterans-related pieces of legislation aimed at, improving Veterans Affairs (VA) and other services, increasing economic opportunity, and honoring our veterans.

Cosponsored Bills in the 117th Congress

  • “AUTO for Veterans Act” (H.R. 1361). This bill would expand a Veterans Affairs program to provide severely disabled and paralyzed veterans with an automobile that is specially equipped for their needs.
  • “PAWS for Veterans Act” (H.R. 1448). The Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) for Veterans Therapy Act creates a pilot program providing service dogs to veterans that suffer from mental illnesses. The PAWS for Veterans Act was signed into law by President Biden in August 2021.
  • H.R. 2800 – WINGMAN Act. This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide each veteran who submits a claim for VA benefits with an opportunity for a Congressional employee to review their records while assisting in their casework.
  • H.R. 637 – Veterans Economic Recovery Act of 2021. This bill would create a new program under the Veterans Administration (VA) to provide work retraining for veterans that became unemployed due to the COVID-19 health emergency.

Helping West Virginians cut through bureaucratic red tape is just as important as passing the right legislation in Congress. Since September 2021, Congressman Mooney has proudly hosted a veteran, Darrell, through the Wounded Warrior Program to better help open doors for veterans returning home to West Virginia.

Honoring Our Veterans:

Cosponsored Bills in the 116th Congress

  • H.R.1163 – VA Hiring Enhancement Act. This legislation streamlines the process to allow the VA to hire the best doctors. This is an important step in providing better care for veterans.
  • H.R. 4589 – the Permanent Transportation of Highly Rural Veterans to Medical Care Grant Program Act. This legislation would help provide veterans in rural areas with a ride to the health care they need and deserve.
  • H.R. 1019 – Full Military Honors Act of 2019. This bill alters federal code to allow for a full military funeral for veterans who were interred in Arlington National Cemetery and/or who were awarded the medal of honor or prisoner of war medal.
  • H.R.553 – Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act. The act would eliminate the “Widow’s tax,” a current policy that requires the surviving spouses of members killed in the line of duty or from a service-connected cause to forfeit the Survivor Benefit Pension annuity. Current policy allows for up to $1000 per month to be off-set from a surviving spouse’s pay which is a substantial burden for many military families which could be up to a $12,000 annual reduction of deserved benefits.
  • H.R. 450 – Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act. Financial predators have increasingly targeted vulnerable veterans, particularly the elderly, to defraud them of their VA benefits. H.R. 450 would establish a new federal crime for individuals who violate the law (by defrauding veterans of their VA benefits), imposing a fine, imprisonment, or both.
  • H.R. 95 – Homeless Veteran Families Act. This bill would provide the VA with the authority to pay a per diem to support our nation’s homeless veterans with children.
  • H.R. 299 – Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act. This bill extends medical access to Veterans who were exposed to herbicides (Agent Orange) while serving in Vietnamese territorial waters during the war. This bill passed the House on May 14, 2019 and was signed in to law.
  • H.R. 2655 – Purple Heart Freedom to Work Act. This bill would extend Social Security Disability Insurance to veterans making up to $2,040 per month, allowing more disabled veterans to work while keeping their benefits.

The Veterans History Project:

The Library of Congress has started The Veterans History Project of the American Folklife Center. This project collects and preserves personal accounts of American war veterans through personal narratives, correspondence, and/or visual materials. I invite all our district’s veterans to participate and preserve your heroic story in the Library of Congress for future generations to learn about your great sacrifice to this nation. To learn more click here.

For more information concerning work and views related to Veterans issues, please contact our office.