Congressman Kim Passes Effort to Expand Ride Share Programs for Veterans

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House of Representatives passed an Amendment authored by Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) that would increase funding to expand access to ride share programs for veterans. The Amendment was passed through H.R. 7608, which provides funding for several major federal departments and agencies including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These programs could help veterans looking for alternatives when forced to visit community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) with insufficient parking. Currently, the James J. Howard CBOC in Brick Township is plagued with parking issues as told through multiple stories highlighted by Congressman Kim.

“When the VA doesn’t come through for our veterans, we can’t just give up; we have to think outside the box and find solutions to the problems they face every day,” said Congressman Kim. “No veteran should have to delay care or put themselves in danger to go to see their doctor. I’m proud to see my amendment pass in a bipartisan way, and I’m going to keep working to move these solutions forward for our veterans.”

Yesterday, Congressman Kim held a telephone town hall with Congressman Mark Takano, chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, where he directly addressed the VA’s delay in delivering a new health care facility to Ocean County. Congressman Kim has also led an effort, along with Senators Booker and Menendez, to demand answers on why the effort to secure a new veterans’ health care facility in Ocean County failed, and to ask the VA to provide immediate solutions for New Jersey’s veterans.

More information about Congressman Kim’s efforts to press the VA on this issue can be found on his website by clicking here.

Congressman Kim is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Small Business.  In addition to advocating for a new veterans health facility in Ocean County, Congressman Kim has introduced bipartisan legislation to protect veterans from VA errors and help veterans identify employment opportunities during their transition to civilian life. More information about Congressman Kim can be found on his website by clicking here.

More information about Congressman Kim can be found on his website by clicking here.

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