FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Concurrent Resolution No. 28

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

2167L.01IWhereas, the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFLW) established a National Policy Committee on Veterans Affairs to ensure that the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces are properly honored, revered, and cared for upon completion of their service; and

            Whereas, our nation established veterans programs to repay and reward veterans for their extraordinary service and sacrifices on behalf of their fellow citizens; and

            Whereas, many of our nation's older veterans live on fixed incomes and rely on assistance from veterans service organizations (VSOs) to apply for and obtain the benefits owed to them by the federal government; and

            Whereas, Senate Bill No. 2694 introduced in the United States Congress would amend existing law to permit attorneys and agents to charge veterans claimants for services rendered in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims at all stages of the process; and

            Whereas, Congress designed the current administrative claims process to be a non-adversarial and pro-veteran, allowing veterans to file claims for disability benefits and receive fair decisions from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) without having to hire and pay a large portion of their benefits to lawyers; and

            Whereas, no injured or disabled veteran should have to pay an attorney to obtain the benefits that a grateful nation provides and the veteran is rightfully due:

            Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-fourth General Assembly, First Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby oppose any change in law that would authorize attorneys to charge veterans a fee for benefits counseling or any claims services before the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; and

            Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare properly inscribed copies of this resolution for each member of the Missouri Congressional delegation.