June 20, 2014

Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s First Congressional District and Ranking Member of the House Veterans Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs released the following statement regarding the Obama Administration’s extension of limited benefits to legally married, same-sex couples:
 
“While I applaud the Obama Administration’s efforts to extend these benefits, today’s announcement shows that Congress must act to ensure that veterans and their families are not denied the benefits they have earned and deserve,” said Titus. “The House Veterans Affairs Committee should complete its work on my legislation, H.R. 2529, the Veteran Spouses Equal Treatment Act, to ensure that all of our nation’s heroes are treated equally. Every military family deserves our respect and admiration for the sacrifices they make on behalf of this great nation. My colleagues have a choice to stand with the nation’s veterans and their families, or stand silent as they continue to face discrimination by the government they fought to defend.”

The Veteran Spouses Equal Treatment Act amends the definition of “spouse” in Title 38 of the U.S. Code to ensure equal treatment for same-sex spouses thereby aligning the VA with the nation’s laws. On March 26, 2014, the House Veterans Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a legislative hearing to consider H.R. 2529. At the hearing the legislation received the support of the Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, VetsFirst, and AMVETS. It is also endorsed by the American Military Partner Association and the Human Rights Campaign.