On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill that Reps. Barry Moore and Mike Levin introduced to support veterans. The Mark O’Brien VA Clothing Allowance Improvement Act helps veterans replace clothing that is routinely damaged by prosthetics, orthopedic devices, or skin medicines they need as a result of active-duty injuries.
“I am excited to announce that my bipartisan bill with Rep. Mike Levin passed the House of Representatives yesterday!” Moore said in a statement on social media. “The Mark O’Brien VA Clothing Allowance Act simplifies the process for veterans with service-connected conditions to receive the clothing allowances they deserve.”
“I’m proud to see Democrats and Republicans come together once again to improve the benefits veterans have earned,” said Rep. Levin in a statement. “The CVSO Act and the Mark O’Brien VA Clothing Allowance Improvement Act will cut red tape and simplify VA processes that have prevented too many veterans from receiving the services they deserve. While these types of bills rarely make national headlines, this is the work that truly makes a difference for our nation’s heroes. These bills put action behind the words ‘thank you for your service.’ As we approach the 118th Congress, I look forward to continuing to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to improve the lives of veterans and their families.”
According to information provided by Congressman Levin’s office, the Mark O’Brien VA Clothing Allowance Improvement Act bill would amend an existing VA clothing allowance program by enabling payments to continue on an automatically recurring annual basis until the veteran elects to no longer receive payments or VA determines the veteran is no longer eligible. Currently, a veteran must provide a clothing allowance form to their local VA medical center annually, an unnecessarily burdensome process for those who have a lifelong condition that requires a device or medicine which damages their clothing. The bill is named after Marine Corporal Mark O’Brien, who was injured in combat in Iraq and lost his right arm and leg. He also suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), which often causes him to forget to reapply for the clothing allowance.
“Our nation’s heroes shouldn’t have to face repetitive red tape to receive the assistance they deserve,” explained Rep. Moore. “By removing burdensome hurdles, our bipartisan bill streamlines the process for our veterans to collect a clothing allowance. I’m proud to work with Rep. Levin in providing a commonsense solution that ensures our veterans have easier access to this beneficial program.”
The Mark O’Brien VA Clothing Allowance Improvement Act is endorsed by the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA), Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA), and the USCG Chief Petty Officers Association (CPOA). Hearing testimony from the VA and Minority Veterans of America (MVA) also expressed support for the bill.
Barry Moore was recently re-elected to a second term representing Alabama’s Second Congressional District.
