Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher’s (TX-07) and House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Takano’s (CA-41) Advancing Uniform Transportation Opportunities (AUTO) for Veterans Act, H.R. 3304, passed the House.  This bill expands the eligibility for disabled veterans to obtain vehicles modified for their disabilities.

“In Houston and in communities across the country, cars are essential transportation,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “I am glad to lead this bill with Chairman Takano to ensure our veterans can access safe and comfortable vehicles that are adapted to their needs, and so that their ability to get places isn’t impeded.  I am grateful to our House colleagues for addressing this vital concern for so many of our deserving veterans and I look forward to seeing this bill passed in the Senate.”

“Today we will pass legislation that will address a longstanding problem that has limited veterans’ mobility, and I thank Rep. Lizzie Fletcher for her tireless work with the veteran community which has led to this opportunity,” said Chairman Takano.“The AUTO for Vets Act finally expands eligibility for disabled veterans to obtain vehicles modified for their disabilities more than once in their lifetime. This has long been a priority for veterans, is supported by countless veterans’ organizations, and demonstrates the powerful bipartisan work of Congress.”

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 AUTO for Veterans 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.

Congresswoman Fletcher and Chairman Takano introduced the AUTO for Veterans Act in May 2021.  Last week, it passed out of the HVAC. 

The AUTO for Veterans Act is endorsed by Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA).