Miller-Meeks Joins Push to Get Answers on VA Delays
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, May 6th, 2021, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02) joined members of the House Veterans’ Affairs and Oversight & Reform Committees in a letter to the Archivist of the United States, David Ferriero, regarding the massive delays veterans and their families are encountering while requesting their records from the National Personnel Records Center (NRPC).
“Our veterans and their families have sacrificed so much in service to our country, it is unacceptable that they are unable to get the information and records they need. We must be doing more to support our military families,” said Miller-Meeks. “I am proud to join so many of my colleagues in this effort. We must hold the VA accountable when necessary, our veterans deserve as much.”
“Veterans need answers. The NPRC serves a vital function,” said Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12), Republican Leader of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “It is unacceptable that we continue to receive mixed messages about when veterans will have timely access to their records. I hope Archivist Ferriero will fix this as soon as possible.”
“Delayed release of military records is absolutely unacceptable. The NPRC failed to adapt to the pandemic, and it resulted in almost half a million backlogged requests for records,” said Rep. James Comer (KY-01), Republican Leader of the House Oversight and Reform Committee. “Holding these records hostage inevitably delays military funerals, benefits payments, access to veteran shelters, decisions on VA claims, and more. Our military men and women and their families deserve far better than these delays. NRPC must clean up its act, address the backlog immediately, and give these families and Congress an explanation and timeline for fixing it.”
The NRPC stores the personal, health, and medical records of military personnel – active, discharged, and deceased – from all branches. As of March 2021, there was a backlog of almost half a million records requests. These records are often necessary for proceeding with a military burial, obtaining VA benefits, and more.
To read the full text of the letter, click HERE.
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