Tester, Isakson Applaud Senate Passage of Legislation to Continue Essential Veterans Services & Benefits

Bipartisan bill reauthorizing four VA programs, including support for homeless veterans, heads to President’s desk

U.S. Senators Jon Tester, (D-Mont.), and Johnny Isakson, (R-Ga.), ranking member and chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, applauded the unanimous Senate passage of bipartisan legislation to ensure veterans continue to have access to essential programs at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The legislation now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2019 reauthorizes four programs and services at the VA, including veteran homelessness prevention, which were set to expire at the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.

The legislation represents a bipartisan, bicameral agreement reached with U.S. Representatives Mark Takano, D-Calif., and Dr. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., Isakson and Tester’s counterparts in the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

“I’ve seen firsthand how critical initiatives like these help rural veterans – particularly those that are homeless and disabled – in Montana,” said Tester. “By giving veterans the resources they need to recover and thrive, we’re making good on the promises we’ve made to them and their families when they signed up to serve this country. This bipartisan agreement is a testament to what Congress can get done when we rise above the political fray and work together.”

“I’m pleased the Senate unanimously supported passage of this bipartisan bill to help ensure that vital VA services continue into the new fiscal year,” said Isakson. “I thank Ranking Member Tester, Chairman Takano, Ranking Member Roe and members of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee for their efforts in reaching this bipartisan agreement. By working together, we are ensuring veterans continue to receive the benefits they rightfully deserve.”

A full section-by-section summary of the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2019 is available here.