WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7337, Access for Veterans to Records Act. This bill would give $60 million to the National Archives and Records Administration to address the backlog of requests from veterans for critical military records needed to access government benefits.
After voting against the bill, Representative Warren Davidson (R-OH) made the following statement:
“The records request backlog at the National Personnel Records Center is truly a disservice to our veterans and their families,” said Rep. Davidson.
"For the past two years, I have advocated for its full reopening to provide our veterans with its critical services. Despite Congress having already sent millions of taxpayer dollars to the National Archives to address the backlog due to COVID 19, the agency has continuously failed its obligation to provide our veterans with the responsiveness they deserve.
"Rather than present a plan of action, this bill allocates another $60 million in taxpayer funds, permits the same telework policies that caused the backlog in the first place, and neglects to hold this administration responsible.
"The NPRC’s lack of action is simply unacceptable. I urge the administration to use every available resource to ensure all veterans have access to the services they have earned.
"It’s way past time for America to uphold its promise to those who sacrificed for our freedom.”
Background:
Since COVID LOCKDOWNS, Rep. Davidson (R-OH) has advocated for the importance of the NPRC’s role in processing military records for veterans to receive critical government benefits. Without these records, veterans have had to wait extensive periods to access their promised benefits. Others, unfortunately, have been buried without honors as their families could not obtain the records in time.
In December 2020, Congress allocated relief funds to the center in hopes that an infusion of funds would help the center resume operations.
As of April 2021, just under 500,000 records requests remained unfulfilled by the NPRC. Veterans need these records to access the VA benefits they earned while serving the country. Everything from medical care to student loans to burial services—and even COVID vaccinations—require proper documentation.
In April 2021, Rep. Davidson led a letter to President Biden and David Ferriero, Archivist of the United States National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) requesting immediate action to eliminate the significant backlog of veteran records requests. The lawmakers demanded information about the administration’s plans to expedite records requests.
In April 2021, Rep. Davidson visited the NPRC in St. Louis, Missouri after months of unsatisfactory progress from the NPRC in clearing a nationwide backlog.
In January 2022, Rep. Davidson and 112 House Republicans sent a letter to David Ferriero, calling on the NPRC to fully reopen.
In March 2022, after nearly two years of being closed, the center reopened but currently faces an increased amount of service records requests backlog.
###