BVA’s Government Relations team is a consistent presence on Capitol Hill. We work to educate congressional leaders on the needs of our blind and low vision veterans, their families and caregivers. The resolutions adopted by BVA members during the annual National Convention drive our legislative advocacy – ensuring the federal laws, regulations and policies governing the Department of Veterans Affairs – and other federal agencies – are continually improved.
Legislative Action Center
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Legislative Priorities
BVA is constantly seeking the support of legislators in enacting policies that will assist blind and low vision veterans, monitoring favorable legislation, and keeping members apprised of new information regarding legislation. Our members are represented on the Hill during congressional committee meetings – and with individual congressional members and their staff – by the government relations team. BVA has successfully supported several key pieces of legislation in the past – and looks forward to continuing to fight the good fight for blinded veterans in the year ahead.
It is our hope that this first session of the 118th Congress will proactively address the following critically important issues:
- Seek congressional mandate that VA immediately reinstate the following language into the VA Community Care “Standardized Episode of Care (SEOC): Eye Care Comprehensive” guidelines that “Only ophthalmologists can perform invasive procedures, including injections, lasers, and eye surgery.” Urge VA to be mindful of the appropriate roles of optometry and ophthalmology as it seeks to establish national standards of practice within VA health care systems.
- Ensure that VA implement caregiver benefits for catastrophically “blinded” disabled veterans, mandating the modification of eligibility criteria regarding “Activities of Daily Living” to include caregivers for blinded veterans; and create a clinical eligibility standard for blindness in both eyes (defined as 2/200 or worse, or a visual field of 5 degrees or less.”
- Call on congressional oversight of the VA Veteran Travel Service (VTS) program to identify and document challenges blinded veterans are dealing with when trying to get to and from their VA medical appointments. Furthermore, BVA seeks VIST Coordinators be granted authority to make clinical determinations for Special Mode Transportation (SMT) authorizations for blind and low vision veterans.
- Support adequate funding of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Blind Rehabilitation Service (BRS);
- Request FY24 appropriations of $30 million for the DoD Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) Vision Research Program (VRP), strengthening the “ONLY” research program focused on prevention and treatment of combat-related ocular trauma and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) visual dysfunction;
- Support the continued improvement of programs and services for women veterans;
- Request the enactment of adequate protections for guide dogs and service dogs on federal properties;
- Support the FY23-24 Independent Budget recommendations for Prosthetics and Sensory Aids;
- Support oversight of VA compliance with accessibility requirements.
Accomplishments during 117th Congress
- Enacted H.R.7939 “Veterans Auto and Education Improvement Act of 2022,” authorizing VA to issue eligible veterans a second automobile grant., and authorizes the provision of medically necessary van lifts, raised doors, raised roofs, air conditioning, and wheelchair tiedowns for passenger use. Signed into law on January 5, 2023;
- Supported the passage of H.R. 3967 “Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT Act) of 2022” that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. Signed into law on August 10, 2022;
- Supported and urged passage of Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations (MILCON-VA) Act, 2023. Encourages the Department of Veterans Affairs to explore options, such as a VA Accessibility Office led by a Chief Accessibility Officer, to ensure the accessibility needs of disabled veterans and employees are met. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to review VA's 508 accessibility compliance and Information and Communication Technology accessibility, report findings to the Committees within 90 days after enactment of this Act, and continue to report on the progress of 508 accessibility compliance annually for 3 years after enactment. Urges the Department to maintain open lines of communication with VSOs, particularly the Blinded Veterans Association, during the ongoing effort to improve accessibility. Signed into law on December 29, 2022;
Legislative Library
FY 2024 Congressional Requests
Read BVA’s letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees requesting that the Vision Research Program be funded at $30 million for Fiscal Year 2024.
Legislative Testimony
Testimony: (PDF)
Presented By: Dr. Thomas A. Zampieri, National President
Testimony: (PDF)
Presented By: Dr. Thomas A. Zampieri, National President
Testimony: (PDF)
Presented By: Paul L. Mimms, National Vice President
Testimony: (PDF)
Presented By: Robert D. (Dale) Stamper, National President
Testimony: (PDF)
Presented By: Robert D. (Dale) Stamper, National President
Supported Legislation
H.R. 112 “Care Veterans Deserve Act of 2021”
A bill to make certain improvements in the provision of medical care by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-8-R)
H.R. 344 “Women Veterans TRUST Act”
A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct an analysis of the need for women-specific programs that treat and rehabilitate women veterans with drug and alcohol dependency and to carry out a pilot program regarding such programs.
Rep. Julia Brownley (CA-26-D)
H.R. 1282 “Major Richard Star Act”
This bill provides that combat-disabled uniformed services retirees with fewer than 20 years of creditable service may concurrently receive, without reduction, veterans' disability compensation and retired pay or combat-related special compensation.
Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis, [R-FL-12]
H.R. 1361 “Auto for Veterans Act”
A bill that authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide (or assist in providing) an eligible veteran or service member with an additional automobile or other conveyance under the VA automobile allowance and adaptive equipment program.
Rep. Daniel Meuser [R-PA-9]
H.R. 3304 “CARS for Veterans Act”
A bill that authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide (or assist in providing) an eligible veteran or service member with an additional automobile or other conveyance under the VA automobile allowance and adaptive equipment program.
Rep. Lizzie Fletcher [D-TX-7]
H.R. 3967 “Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (PACT Act)”
This bill addresses health care, presumption of service-connection, research, resources, and other matters related to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during military service.
Then HVAC Chairman Mark Takano [D-CA-41]
H.R. 4187 “Medicare Vision Act of 2021”
This bill amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for certain vision items and services under part B of the Medicare program.
Rep. Kim Schrier [D-WA-8]
H.R. 4824 “The Stop Copay Overpay Act"
A bill to reduce TRICARE copays for mental health visits.
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan [D-PA-6]
H.R. 5819 “Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act”
A bill increasing the maximum amount authorized under the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant program to $10,000 for veterans with a service-connected disability and $5,000 for those with disabilities that are not service-connected.
Rep. Al Lawson, Jr. [D-FL-5]
H.R. 6848 “Medicare Demonstration of Coverage for Low Vision Devices Act of 2022”
A bill providing for a Medicare demonstration project to evaluate the fiscal impact of covering low vision devices as durable medical equipment under part B of the Medicare program.
Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney [D-NY-12]
H.R. 7735 “The Improving Access to the VA Home Loan Act of 2022”
A bill requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to update regulations, requirements, and guidance related to appraisals for housing loans guaranteed by the VA to specify when an appraisal is required, how an appraisal is to be conducted, and who is eligible to conduct an appraisal for such loans.
Then HVAC Ranking Member Rep. Mike Bost [R-IL-12]
H.R.7939 “ Veterans Auto and Education Improvement Act of 2022”
A bill to provide permanent authority for the application of certain flexibilities to assist veterans with their educational assistance benefits during emergency situations (as declared by the President). Specifically, the bill extends certain program adjustments that were implemented during the COVID-19 emergency to other emergency situations that may arise and have an effect on veterans and their educational assistance benefits. Additionally, this bill authorizes a second auto grant for eligible veterans.
Rep. Mike Levin [D-CA-49]
H.R. 8736 “Guard VA Benefits Act”
This bill imposes criminal penalties and/or fines on individuals for directly or indirectly soliciting, contracting for, charging, or receiving any unauthorized fee or compensation with respect to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. The attempted commission of such offenses is also punishable by fine or imprisonment.
Rep. Chris Pappas [D-NH-1]
S. 344 “Major Richard Star Act”
This bill provides that combat-disabled uniformed services retirees with fewer than 20 years of creditable service may concurrently receive, without reduction, veterans' disability compensation and retired pay or combat-related special compensation.
SVAC Chairman Jon Tester [D-MT]
S. 444 “Auto for Veterans Act”
A bill that authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide (or assist in providing) an eligible veteran or service member with an additional automobile or other conveyance under the VA automobile allowance and adaptive equipment program.
Sen. Susan Collins (D- ME)
S. 4276 “Helping Heroes Act of 2022”
A bill to implement programs and procedures related to the provision of support services for veterans and their families.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
S. 5121 “The Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2022 (CVTA Act)”
A bill to improve access to communications technology for Americans with disabilities to ensure they have equal opportunities in an increasingly online world by updating policies for television programming and online video streaming platforms.
Sen. Markey (D-MA)