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This package will provide key resources to assist veterans, service members, and their families.

Washington, D.C. — On May 30, Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse introduced a bipartisan legislative package to ensure that veterans can access the services and resources they deserve. This package would improve the treatment and compensation for veterans experiencing PTSD and create regional “network hubs” for veterans, service members, and their families to seek resources and support. 

“I am proud to introduce a package of bills to ensure that our veterans, service members, and their families can access the healthcare, housing, and job training they need to thrive. Our veterans and servicemembers sacrifice so much to keep us safe, and it is incumbent on us to make sure we honor our country’s sacred commitments to them when they come home,” said Congressman Neguse.

The package of bills includes the following: 

• Department of Veterans Affairs Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Processing Claims Improvement Act: This bipartisan bill would overhaul the Veteran Affairs (VA)’s PTSD claims processing training to improve treatment and compensation for our veterans. The bill would also direct the Veterans Benefits Administration’s (VBA) Compensation Service to standardize trainings for regional office staff and establish a formal process to update training needs based on identified processing error trends annually. The bill is co-led by Congressman Doug Lamborn (R-CO) in the House of Representatives, and Senator Amy Klobuchar is sponsoring the bill in the U.S. Senate. 
• HUBS for Veterans Act: This bipartisan legislation would support local “network hubs” which streamline access to essential resources for veterans, service members, and their families. The legislation would authorize a five-year pilot program to provide matching grant funds to non-profit organizations that offer access to multiple wraparound services from one source, or “network hubs.” These services could include assistance with housing, healthcare, job training, and education, among other programs. The bill is co-led by Congressman Doug Lamborn (R-CO) in the House of Representatives, and Colorado Senator Michael Bennet is sponsoring the bill in the U.S. Senate. 

“Just the other day, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Colorado discussed how can a veteran benefit from transition training using her or his Veteran Benefits. The HUB Act will allow Veteran Service Organizations to provide an innumerable starting point for veteran transition. The HUB Act will precisely help service members and their spouses get ready to successfully move from the military to civilian life.” said Steve Kjonaas, The Veterans of Foreign Wars Colorado Legislative Director.

“The Veterans of Foreign Wars Colorado appreciates this bill which will focus on Veterans Affairs disability Veteran Service Representatives (VSR) and Rating Veterans Service Representatives (RVSR) evaluating Military Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Often the veteran is unique in his or her claim and when a VSR or RVSR sees the difference in how the veteran fits into the world after military, the veteran can receive a fair benefits rating that will help him or her fit back into the norm they experienced prior to service.”  said Kjonaas, on the Department of Veterans Affairs PTSD Processing Claims Improvement Act. 

"Bringing Veterans Community Project to Longmont, constructing a village, and developing highly effective programming here has been no small feat and would not have happened without a lot of collaboration. Our work is about bringing people together, regardless of background, to serve in a way that is effective and positively impacts the lives of Veterans and the communities which they are a part of. Congressman Neguse has been a champion of VCP's work in our Northern Colorado community, and we're thankful to be recognized as a valuable voice at the table for supportive solutions for all Veterans,” Jenn Seybold, Executive Director at VCP of Longmont. 

Background

Congressman Neguse is a strong advocate for veterans and service members. As part of the 2023 government funding bill, he secured $650,000 for the Veterans Community Project Transitional Housing in Longmont, Colorado. This project supports the construction of tiny homes for unhoused veterans in Colorado's Second Congressional District. This year, he introduced legislation to increase funding for the highly successful Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP).

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