Press Releases
Rep. Finstad Joins Reps. Levin, McMorris Rodgers, Pappas to Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation Improving Access to Veterans’ Services
February 10, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) joined Reps. Mike Levin (CA-49), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), and Chris Pappas (NH-01) to reintroduce the bipartisan Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach (CVSO) Act, legislation that would authorize federal funding to expand the work of County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs), who are often the best resource on the ground to help veterans and their families access VA resources and secure the benefits they have earned.
“In the state of Minnesota, we have an exceptional County Veteran Service Officers (CVSO) system,” said Rep. Finstad. “Unfortunately, this isn’t the case nationwide, which is why I am proud to help introduce the Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act. This legislation will establish a grant program that can be used by CVSOs to improve veteran outreach, as well as train and hire additional officers. More importantly, this legislation will ensure that – no matter which state they live in – our veterans across the country can have the same outstanding service that we are blessed to have in Minnesota.”
“We have a responsibility to ensure that veterans and their families have easy access to the benefits and services that they have earned,” said Rep. Mike Levin. “That is why my colleagues and I are reintroducing this bipartisan, bicameral legislation to support the work of county veterans service officers who interact directly with our local veterans every day. I’m proud to spearhead the CVSO Act and I look forward to advancing this legislation with bipartisan support. While these types of bills rarely make national headlines, this is the work that truly makes a difference for our nation’s heroes.”
“Veteran service officers are often the only lifeline connecting veterans and their families with the benefits they earned in service to our country. This is especially true in rural communities where a shortage of VSOs is resulting in too many veterans slipping through the cracks,” said Rep. Rodgers. “No one who has put on the uniform should ever feel this way. While our bipartisan bill won’t fix everything, the long overdue investment it makes is a critical first step towards ensuring no veteran ever gets left behind again.”
“Veterans who have served our country and protected our freedom should not face any barriers when accessing the benefits and services they have earned,” said Rep. Pappas. “This bipartisan legislation will support county veterans service officers who work locally with veterans to access their benefits, understand available resources, and apply for eligible programs. County veterans service officers are a vital pillar of support for our veterans, and I’m proud to lead this bill alongside Congressman Levin. I’ll continue working to ensure our veterans are treated with the utmost respect and can access resources and benefits they are owed.”
“In the state of Minnesota, we have an exceptional County Veteran Service Officers (CVSO) system,” said Rep. Finstad. “Unfortunately, this isn’t the case nationwide, which is why I am proud to help introduce the Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act. This legislation will establish a grant program that can be used by CVSOs to improve veteran outreach, as well as train and hire additional officers. More importantly, this legislation will ensure that – no matter which state they live in – our veterans across the country can have the same outstanding service that we are blessed to have in Minnesota.”
“We have a responsibility to ensure that veterans and their families have easy access to the benefits and services that they have earned,” said Rep. Mike Levin. “That is why my colleagues and I are reintroducing this bipartisan, bicameral legislation to support the work of county veterans service officers who interact directly with our local veterans every day. I’m proud to spearhead the CVSO Act and I look forward to advancing this legislation with bipartisan support. While these types of bills rarely make national headlines, this is the work that truly makes a difference for our nation’s heroes.”
“Veteran service officers are often the only lifeline connecting veterans and their families with the benefits they earned in service to our country. This is especially true in rural communities where a shortage of VSOs is resulting in too many veterans slipping through the cracks,” said Rep. Rodgers. “No one who has put on the uniform should ever feel this way. While our bipartisan bill won’t fix everything, the long overdue investment it makes is a critical first step towards ensuring no veteran ever gets left behind again.”
“Veterans who have served our country and protected our freedom should not face any barriers when accessing the benefits and services they have earned,” said Rep. Pappas. “This bipartisan legislation will support county veterans service officers who work locally with veterans to access their benefits, understand available resources, and apply for eligible programs. County veterans service officers are a vital pillar of support for our veterans, and I’m proud to lead this bill alongside Congressman Levin. I’ll continue working to ensure our veterans are treated with the utmost respect and can access resources and benefits they are owed.”
