Murkowski, Schatz introduce legislation to make transportation more cost-effective for disabled veterans

On Wednesday, Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii introduced legislation that would expand transportation access for veterans with disabilities. The bill, ‘Deliver for Veterans Act,’ would expand a Veterans Affairs (VA) grant program to cover shipping costs for disabled veterans who require modified vehicles for transportation.

Currently, eligible veterans can receive roughly $25,600 toward specially altered vehicles, equipped with modifications such as van lifts, raised doors or roofs, or wheelchair tie-downs. However, they are prohibited from using their grant funding to ship their newly modified vehicles, making acquisition of these vehicles in states like Alaska and Hawaii overly cost prohibitive.

This new bill would authorize the grant to cover these additional costs, helping alleviate financial burdens for Veterans who have bravely fought and sacrificed for our nation.

‘The Deliver for Veterans Act’ is the Senate companion to House of Representatives version of the same bill, introduced by Representative James Moylan, the Delegate from Guam, and listed as a co-sponsor is Representative Mary Peltola.

“Since the inception of this program, veterans in isolated states have faced financial barriers posed by their geography when trying to access vehicles that fit their needs,” said Senator Murkowski. “It can be incredibly costly to transport a car to communities throughout Alaska, placing an added financial burden on disabled veterans who have already paid enough. This legislation will help address this and give our disabled veterans their mobility back.”

Senator Schatz echoed her sentiments, saying the bill will help veterans in isolated areas receive the modified vehicles needed to go about their daily lives. “Disabled veterans deserve access to every benefit they have earned – regardless of where they live.”