Bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus Endorses Legislation to Improve Access to Adaptive Vehicles for Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus announced its endorsement of the Deliver for Veterans Act, legislation that seeks to support veterans by eliminating barriers to accessing adaptive vehicles.

The bipartisan legislation was introduced by Representatives Jim Moylan (GU-AL) and Ed Case (HI-01) and has 19 cosponsors, seven whom are Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus.

The Veterans Affairs Adaptive Vehicle Grant Program supports disabled veterans by covering the cost of an accessible vehicle. However, current regulations do not allow veterans to use grant funds to pay to ship the vehicles, which can cost up to $3,000 for veterans in noncontiguous states and territories. The Deliver for Veterans Act would modify the program to allow grant funds to be applied towards shipping costs, ensuring the additional expense does not prevent veterans in remote locations from receiving the support they need.

“We owe it to our veterans to prioritize their well-being and ensure they have the necessary support and resources available. My bill, H.R. 522, amends existing federal law pertaining to financial assistance for certain disabled veterans in purchasing adaptive vehicles or other conveyances,” said Congressman James Moylan (GU-AL). “The current system forces veterans residing in remote jurisdictions, such as Guam to pay thousands of dollars to ship vehicles to their location, which contradicts the purpose of the VA's adaptive vehicle program. The program aims to provide adaptive vehicles to veterans with disabilities, but the high cost of shipping creates an unnecessary barrier for them. My measure addresses these inequities by placing the responsibility of shipping costs under the Office of Veterans Affairs instead. I want to thank our co-sponsors for supporting veterans and taking the necessary steps in addressing these disparities.”

“The Veterans Administration’s Adaptive Vehicle Grant Program helps fulfill our promise to our veterans by assisting qualified disabled veterans with accessible vehicle purchases but is incomplete because it does not allow for vehicle shipping charges,” said Congressman Ed Case (HI-01). “Our measure would authorize such charges and provide our disabled vets, especially those living in more remote areas where shipping costs can be prohibitive, with an expanded ability to get the transportation they need.”

“There is nothing more important in this job than having the backs of those who have stepped up to protect us. After sacrificing so much, our veterans should never struggle to get the care, recognition, and respect they have rightfully earned,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05). “I’m glad that the members of the Problem Solvers Caucus came together to endorse the bipartisan Deliver for Veterans Act, which would provide disabled veterans the support they deserve.”

“Disabled veterans, especially those in remote locations, should not be required to pay shipping costs when receiving delivery of an accessible vehicle through the VA’s Adaptive Vehicle Grant Program,” said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). “I’m proud our caucus is endorsing this bipartisan legislation to further assist veterans who risked their lives defending our nation.”

“Many disabled veterans face challenges in obtaining accessible transportation options, which can limit their ability to engage in daily activities,” said Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28). “By covering the shipping costs for accessible vehicles, the Deliver for Veterans Act will help address these barriers. I am pleased the Problem Solvers Caucus has endorsed this bill, which is an important step to ensure our disabled veterans can live successful lives.”

“Disabled veterans in eastern North Carolina and across America are facing many challenges,” said Congressman Don Davis (NC-01). “We must remove barriers for those who have served our country to connect them to the benefits they have earned and deserve.”

Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) said, “America’s veterans have sacrificed for and served our nation, and it is only right that we do our part to support them in their transition back to civilian life. I’m co-sponsoring the Deliver for Veterans Act so that disabled veterans can use grant money to cover the shipping cost when buying an accessible vehicle. Veterans living in noncontiguous areas should not have to face major challenges to purchase these necessary vehicles, and this bill will allow veterans in remote areas to have access to the resources that they need.”

“Veterans living in noncontiguous areas of the United States, like those in Puerto Rico, often face unique challenges in accessing the benefits they earned for their service to our Nation. The Deliver for Veterans Act is a great bipartisan initiative that directly tackles a critical gap in the VA’s Adaptive Vehicle Grant Program. By addressing the current exclusion of shipping costs, this bill would ensure all veterans, regardless of their geographic location, can fully benefit from the resources this program offers. I commend the Problem Solvers Caucus for their bipartisan leadership and for their support of this important piece of legislation,” said Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón (PR-AL).

“As wife and sister of U.S. veterans, supporting veterans and their families is personal to me,” said Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40). “I’m proud to join my colleagues on the Problem Solvers Caucus to support the Deliver for Veterans Act to remove barriers for veterans in remote areas to access resources that make their lives easier. I’ll always be a strong voice for our veterans and ensure they receive the benefits and care they have rightfully earned.” 

“Our disabled veterans, regardless of where they are located throughout our country, deserve to be able to move freely and have a sense of independence,” Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) said. “By covering the shipping cost for adaptive vehicles, which in some cases can amount to thousands of dollars, we are giving our disabled veterans more mobility without having to overcome burdensome financial barriers. This is the least we can do for those who’ve sacrificed so much for our nation.”

“Alaska has the highest percentage of veterans per capita of any state, and we also face significant logistical challenges in shipping,” said Congresswoman Mary Sattler Peltola (AK-AL). “I’m proud to support this legislation that would help cover the shipping costs for accessible vehicles and remove this barrier for our veterans in non-contiguous states and territories. All of our veterans deserve access to the tools that can help them move around and be present in our communities, and I will continue to advocate for the effective implementation of this program.” 

“When we send our men and women in uniform into harm’s way, we make a solemn promise to take care of them when they return home,” said Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (MI-07). “This bipartisan legislation will expand an existing program that pays specially outfitted vehicles for disabled veterans to include the shipping cost for those vehicles. It’s a small but important tweak to existing law that will ease the burden on veterans who have already sacrificed so much, and my colleagues should lend it their support.”

The full text of the bill can be found here.

The Problem Solvers Caucus, which is Co-Chaired by Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), has sixty-four Members evenly split between Republicans and Democrats.

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