Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Veterans Law Judge Experience Act, a bill authored by Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) to give hiring preference to Veterans Law Judges who have three or more years of experience. Hiring judges with experience in veterans’ law will increase the number of cases decided, improve case accuracy, and incentivize experienced judges to remain in the field.
“Every day, far too many veterans across this country are waiting for a VA benefits decision,” said Congresswoman Julia Brownley. “Not only are they waiting for the benefits they are due, but for the stability, security, and relief that comes with these benefits.
“Too often, this wait stretches from months into years. And during that time, veterans are left in limbo – unable to work, struggling to support their families, and forced to navigate a system that moves far too slowly for the urgency of their lives.
“In recent years, despite hiring new Veterans Law Judges, the Veterans’ Board of Appeals has often lacked the experienced personnel needed to move cases efficiently and accurately. This is in part due to the fact that in February 2020, the longstanding experience requirement for Veterans Law Judges was eliminated, opening the door to hiring judges without a background in veterans’ law.
“By prioritizing the hiring of experienced Veterans Law Judges to adjudicate claims efficiently and effectively, this bill will help reduce the backlog of cases and restore confidence in our judicial system. That means more cases decided, fewer delays, and stronger retention of professionals who already understand this complex and deeply consequential area of law.
“House passage of my bill is a meaningful step toward fixing a system that has too often let down the very people it was designed to serve. Veterans deserve a system that works with the same urgency and seriousness with which they served our nation.”
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 234,000 appeals are currently pending before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. Repeat cases further strain the system and delay the Board’s processing of veterans’ cases.
H.R. 659 passed the House of Representatives by voice vote. The bill will now go to the Senate for consideration.
Read the full text of the bill here.
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Issues: 119th Congress, Veterans' Affairs