(Washington, DC) – Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) applauded House passage of five bills to support veterans and their families across the country. The legislation passed includes grants for organizations that provide legal services to veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, increased transparency at the Veterans Affairs department, financial protections for military spouses, and more.

“Our veterans and their families served our country, and it is our job to serve them.  The five bills passed by the House make important reforms to the way we support our veterans community,” said Congresswoman Fletcher.  “I am glad to see the House keeping its promise to care for veterans and their families as they return to civilian life.”

A list and description of bills passed by the House can be found below:

1. H.R. 3749, the Legal Services for Homeless Veterans Act
   
   This bill directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide grants to organizations that provide legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness.
   
   
2. H.R. 2227, the Gold Star Spouses and Spouses of Injured Servicemembers Leasing Relief Expansion Act of 2019 
   
   This bill would authorize spouses of servicemembers who incur a catastrophic injury or illness or die while in military service to terminate leases of premises and motor vehicles. Congresswoman Fletcher is a cosponsor of this legislation.
   
   
3. H.R. 4613, the VA Reporting Transparency Act 
   
   This bill directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and maintain a website of the Department that allows the public to obtain electronic copies of Congressional requested reports.
   
   
4. H.R. 561, the Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2019
   
   This bill would extend the period under which an election must be made for entitlement to educational assistance under the All-Volunteer Educational Assistance Program of Department of Veterans Affairs.
   
   
5. H.R. 4852, the G.I. and Veterans Education Empowerment (GIVE) Act
   
   This bill requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make available to veterans information about postsecondary educational institutions’ religious affiliation, whether its determined that the institution serves minorities or the institution is gender specific.

To support veterans in Texas’ Seventh Congressional District and across the country, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher has voted in favor of H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act and H.R. 1200, the Veteran Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act, which became law last year. She also supported the passage of H.R. 840, the Veterans Access to Child Care Act; H.R. 2109, the Boosting Rates of American Veteran Employment (BRAVE) Act; and H.R. 95, the Homeless Veterans Families Act.