Andy Barr is Getting Results

• In April 2019 Andy introduced H.R. 2196 a bill that amended the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship, which was created in the Forever GI Bill. The bill lowered the credit hour requirement in the scholarship that made it more accessible to student veterans across the county. The bill passed the House by voice vote on June 24 and passed unanimously in the Senate in July. President Trump signed the bill into law on July 31, 2019. Already Kentucky veterans have benefitted from this legislation by being able to take the classes needed to complete their education after their service.
• Andy introduced in a bipartisan manner H.R. 7795, Veterans Benefits Fairness and Transparency Act to protect veterans applying for VA disability benefits by requiring the VA to restore online forms used by veterans to apply for disability payments and cut through bureaucratic red tape to make it easier for veterans to apply for benefits. The idea for this bill came from a member of the Sixth District Veteran’s Coalition. H.R. 7795 passed the House in September 2020 and has been supported by numerous Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs).
• Andy secured key equine assisted therapy provisions in S.785, the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act. This landmark legislation works to better serve veterans by connecting them with mental health services in the community to address veteran suicide. Andy’s provisions strengthen access for veterans to equine assisted therapy (EAT) treatments for mental health and post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD).  EAT is an innovative therapy that allows veterans with mental, social, or physical impairments to work with horses on their road to recovery.
• Andy established the Sixth District Veterans Coalition, which meets quarterly and has helped hundreds of veterans resolve problems with the VA, appeal disability claims and even replace medals.
• Andy introduced legislation to rename the two Lexington VA Medical Center campuses in honor of two Kentucky World War II heroes, Troy Bowling and Franklin Sousley. This legislation was signed into law on March 9, 2018 and were officially renamed in August 2018.
• Andy supported the VA Mission Act, which consolidates the VA’s seven community health care programs into one program, funds the VA Choice Program, and expands the VA Caregiver Program to all eras.
• Andy introduced the Military Sexual Assault Victims Empowerment (SAVE) Act, which would allow survivors of military sexual trauma (MST) to receive the treatment of their choice outside of the VA system.
• Andy passed an amendment to increase funding for equine assisted therapy to help our returning warriors recover from the psychological scars of combat.
• Andy supported the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act, which expanded GI bill eligibility, removed the time restriction on the use of the GI bill for eligible recipients, and increased funding for Reservists and Guardsmen.
• Andy succeeded in petitioning the Secretary of the Department of Interior to recommend the Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park in Jessamine County be designated a National Monument.