A Florida congressman is claiming momentum for his bill ensuring every honorably discharged veteran receives an ID card from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs which, he insists, can be done without burdening taxpayers.
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., introduced the Veterans ID Card Act earlier this year and claimed it was gathering steam on Tuesday. The bill has picked up more than 30 co-sponsors including U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla.
On Tuesday, the Vietnam Veterans of America and the Association of the U.S. Navy (AUSN) endorsed Buchanans bill. The bill has also won the backing of veterans groups including AMVETS and Veterans for Common Sense (VCS) in the past few weeks.
I am very excited that momentum is building for this important legislation to help our nations veterans, Buchanan said on Tuesday The VSOs and members of Congress from both sides of the aisle recognize that this is a straightforward, cost-neutral bill that will make it easier for veterans to provide proof of their service.
Buchanans bill would ensure all veterans receive ID cards from the VA instead of just those who served 20 years in the armed forces or are seeking medical treatment for service-related wounds. Buchanan said veterans are forced to carry DD-214 paperwork, which contains sensitive information including Social Security numbers, and an ID card would be more convenient and would do a better job of keeping their personal information secure.
In an age of increased scrutiny in regard to the military service of individuals, every veteran who has served our nation honorably should be able to obtain a VA card if they wish to have one, said Edgar Rodriguez, the director of government relations for the AUSN, on Tuesday. These cards empower veterans by allowing them to conveniently carry evidence of their military service, making their lives easier in a variety of ways. We at AUSN support this common-sense measure and hope that it is swiftly passed into law in the 114th Congress.
Buchanan says his bill is budget neutral since veterans who opt for the ID card would have a small fee which the VA secretary would examine every five years.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
