Press Releases

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) introduced legislation today to reauthorize and expand the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans to include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) veterans in its membership and scope.

“As a nation, we have a responsibility to serve and support all of our veterans as well as they bravely served us,” DelBene said. “With the veteran population becoming more diverse, it is more important than ever that we give LGBT veterans a voice on the Advisory Committee. This is a critical next step to ensuring all veterans receive the care and benefits they have earned and deserve from the VA.”

The Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans, established by Congress in 1994, advises the VA Secretary on the needs of minority veterans with respect to compensation, health care, rehabilitation, outreach and other VA benefits and services. The Committee is charged with assessing the needs of the nation’s 4.7 million minority veterans and recommending program improvements to meet their specific needs. Unfortunately, under current law, LGBT veterans are not included in the Committee’s membership or scope.

The current authorization for the Advisory Committee is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2015. In 2010, Congress modified its composition to include post-9/11 women veterans, in an effort to more fully reflect the diversity of the veteran population. The Voices for Veterans Act (H.R. 915) would reauthorize the Committee through 2017 and extend its composition and reach to include LGBT veterans, ensuring the Committee’s assessments and recommendations reflect the needs of this growing population.

“LGBT veterans have proudly and honorably served our nation and many face unique experiences, needs, and challenges,” said Stephen Peters, a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign and a gay U.S. Marine veteran. “Even with the tremendous advancements made since the repeal of the discriminatory Don't Ask, Don't Tell law, we still have important progress to make for support and inclusion of all of our nation's heroes – especially for transgender people who are still barred from serving openly and honestly. This bill would take a critical step in ensuring that the voices of LGBT veterans are consistently heard and ensure the LGBT community is represented when addressing the issues that affect minority veterans.”

DelBene’s bill was introduced with more than 50 original cosponsors, including Washington’s Democratic Reps. Rick Larsen, Derek Kilmer, Jim McDermott, Adam Smith and Denny Heck.

The bill has received endorsements from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Human Rights Campaign, The American Military Partner Association, OutServe-SLDN, Military Partners and Families Coalition (MPFC) and American Veterans for Equal Rights.

DelBene originally introduced this legislation during the 113th Congress. More details on the bill can be read HERE.

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