House Passes Three of Pappas's Bipartisan Veterans Bills

Press Release

Pappas introduced bipartisan legislation to address VA sexual harassment, reduce veterans homelessness, and require added oversight and transparency at VA.

This week the House passed three bipartisan pieces of legislation introduced and backed by Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Chair of the Oversight and Investigations for the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, to better protect VA employees from sexual harassment, increase affordable housing opportunities to reduce veterans homelessness, and enhance oversight and transparency measures at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

"One of our nation's greatest obligations is to care for the men and women who have served our nation in times of war and in times of peace," said Congressman Pappas. "I am proud the House took strong bipartisan action this week to pass several important pieces of legislation introduced with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to better support our veterans and improve the quality of care at VA. I look forward to continuing to work in a bipartisan fashion to deliver results to veterans in the Granite State and across the country. I urge the Senate to take up these bipartisan, commonsense solutions as quickly as possible."

Pappas's bipartisan veterans bills which passed this week include:

The Improving VA Accountability to Prevent Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Act of 2021, which Pappas introduced with Representative Ashley Hinson (IA-01), will work to drastically improve policies and oversight in regards to sexual harassment at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Their legislation was introduced following an alarming federal survey which estimated that one in five VA employees experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. After holding a hearing, Congressman Pappas helped introduce this legislation which will update VA policies and procedures based on recommendations from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report to address these unacceptable findings.

Specifically, this legislation will require VA to report all sexual harassment complaints, create a better leadership structure to help oversee complaints, and update sexual harassment policies, information, and training.

The Affordable Housing for Homeless Veterans Act, which Pappas introduced with Ranking Member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Tracey Mann (KS-01), to tackle the issues of veterans' homelessness.

This legislation would reauthorize and amend a program to allow the Secretary of VA to sell, lease, rent, or donate a home that was acquired by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) through default on their VA-guaranteed home loan to a public housing authority, Grant and Per Diem Program provider, or a Supportive Services for Veterans Families service provider.

The public housing authority or providers could then use these homes to shelter veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. By allowing VA to sell, lease, rent, or donate these empty homes to veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, they will increase the number of affordable housing options in higher-cost areas and reduce homelessness.

The VA Transparency & Trust Act of 2021, which Pappas introduced with Rep. Mark Takano (CA-41), Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12), and Rep. Tracey Mann (KS-01), will require VA to report to Congress on the tens of billions of dollars in emergency funding allocated to the Department of Veterans Affairs to respond to COVID-19 to ensure these dollars are being spent wisely. As the Chair of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse and ensuring veterans get the care they have earned has always been his highest priority.

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