WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran – ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) – today delivered opening remarks before voting to advance the Comprehensive and Overdue Support for Troops (COST) of War Act of 2021 out of committee.

“The COST of War Act is trying to deliver on a promise this country made, that if you serve in the military and are injured or made ill because of that service, you won’t go without health care for those conditions,” said Sen. Moran. “This bill still needs a lot of work. Crucially, we do not know the cost or impact of the legislation or how it will impact VA operations. We do not know, for example, what this legislation means for the backlog of over 300,000 claims.

“It would have been my preference for this committee to resolve these issues before voting on whether or not it is ready for debate on the Senate floor,” continued Sen. Moran. “This committee has long been an example of how both sides can set aside their differences and work together to pass legislation to support our nation’s veterans, and it is my desire today to preserve that cooperation between the majority and minority.”

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Remarks as prepared:

We are considering four nominees and six pieces of legislation today. I support the nominees and five of our six bills and am pleased to vote those out of committee.

The COST of War Act is trying to deliver on a promise this country made, that if you serve in the military and are injured or made ill because of that service, you won’t go without health care for those conditions, and you will be compensated for loss of income due to those injuries or illnesses.

Unfortunately, the current process is not fulfilling that promise for veterans who are sick due to toxic exposure. I am committed to fixing this process so those veterans can get the care and benefits they need, and have earned, which is why I will vote to advance the COST of War Act today.

But this bill still needs a lot of work. Crucially, we do not know the cost or impact of the legislation, or how it will impact VA operations. We do not know, for example, what this legislation means for the backlog of over 300,000 claims.

It would have been my preference for this committee to resolve these issues before voting on whether or not it is ready for debate on the Senate floor. This committee has long been an example of how both sides can set aside their differences and work together to pass legislation to support our nation’s veterans, and it is my desire today to preserve that cooperation between the majority and minority.

Chairman Tester committed to address the outstanding concerns that the committee members have before any consideration of the bill by the full Senate. So, despite today’s vote, there is still much work for us to complete as a committee before we will truly have a legislative solution that provides the help our veterans need.

We must get formal views from the administration and detailed cost estimates from CBO and OMB. We also need to understand what actions VA has the authority to do now and how this legislation would affect veterans currently receiving care and benefits.

My goal is to make certain that in directing VA to provide care for additional veterans, we do not diminish their ability to care for all veterans.

Once again, I will support this legislation today in voting yes on this bill with the commitment that we will together work in the best interest of veterans to get this legislation right.

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