Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Titus wants VA benefits for same-sex couples

Congresswoman Dina Titus

Congresswoman Dina Titus

Dean Heller

Dean Heller

The scandal surrounding care of veterans at VA hospitals in Phoenix and elsewhere may have faded from the headlines, but two Nevada lawmakers spent their first few days back in Congress pushing other veterans issues.

Sen. Dean Heller and Rep. Dina Titus both sit on their chamber’s respective Veterans Affairs committees.

On Wednesday, Titus managed to start a debate on same-sex marriage in the House Veterans Affairs Committee when she asked for a vote on her legislation to expand VA benefits to married same-sex couples. Her bill would require the VA to recognize any marriage recognized by a state.

But first, she had to convince a skeptical Republican majority.

“This amendment is not about supporting same-sex marriage, and it’s not about forcing states to change their policies,” she said. “It’s about getting all veterans what they deserve.”

Committee Chairman Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., saw it differently. He argued the bill would allow the VA to override state laws, even though a 2013 Supreme Court decision required federal agencies like the Department of Defense to recognize legally married same-sex couples.

Eventually, Titus’ proposal fell victim to majority rule. It was voted down 13-12 along a mostly party-line vote.

“This is unfair, unjust and they should be ashamed they lack the courage to do the right thing for our nation’s heroes,” Titus said in an impassioned speech on the House floor hours after the vote. She said she will continue to advocate for the legislation.

On the Senate side, meanwhile, Heller pushed for action to reduce the VA’s backlog for processing disability claims.

Heller and Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., brought veterans organizations and VA officials to the Capitol to talk about how to improve the VA’s disability claims process.

Reno’s regional office is one of the worst in the nation, with wait times more than 320 days.

Heller read a letter from a Las Vegas-area veteran who can’t even get an initial doctor’s appointment to start the process. “I’m running out of options,” the veteran wrote.

Heller co-wrote a March report on how to reduce the backlogs. He is pushing for a hearing in the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, even as Congress stalls ahead of November elections.

Until then, the VA should take steps to smooth its process, he said.

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