Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher’s (TX-07) and HVAC Chairman Mark Takano’s (CA-41) Care Access Resources (CARS) for Vets Act, H.R. 3304, passed out of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (HVAC), bringing it one step closer to becoming law.  This legislation expands the eligibility for disabled veterans to obtain vehicles modified for their disabilities.  The CARS for Vets Act now heads to the House Floor for consideration.

“In Houston and in communities across the country, cars are essential for transportation to places of all kinds,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “I am glad to lead this bill with Chairman Takano to ensure our veterans' ability to get to those places isn’t impeded.  I am grateful to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs for addressing this vital concern for so many deserving veterans and look forward to getting this important legislation passed in the House.”

Currently, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a program that provides service-connected disabled veterans with a one-time payment to adapt their vehicle for their medical needs if their disability prevents them from driving.  To adapt for the limited life cycles of vehicles, the CARS for Vets Act: 

• Authorizes the VA to provide, or assist in providing, an additional automobile to an eligible person if 25 years have elapsed since the date the eligible person received the previous automobile; 
• 10 years after enactment of the act, authorizes the VA to provide an eligible person with an additional vehicle if 10 years have elapsed since they received their previously covered vehicle and ten years have elapsed since the bill’s enactment; and
• Expands the definition of “medical services” to include certain vehicle modifications.

This legislation is endorsed by Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA).