(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) — State Representative Jay Reedy (R-Erin) and Republican leaders in the Tennessee House and Senate today wrote a letter to U.S. Congressman Phil Roe (R-Johnson City) and members of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs urging them to take immediate action to eliminate funding allocation issues related to the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Assistance Act of 2017.
The issues are a direct result of information technology and programming problems within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and have resulted in funding allocation delays ranging anywhere from 6-8 weeks. The allocation issues are negatively impacting more than 9,000 Tennessee veterans, as well as the state’s colleges and universities.
In fact, many schools are utilizing zero percent interest loans and tuition deferment in efforts to ensure our student veterans receive the financial support they need to pursue their education. As a result, institutional funds at several area colleges and universities have been heavily drawn down, creating budget concerns at these academic institutions.
Representative Reedy and his General Assembly colleagues are hopeful that Chairman Roe and Committee members can immediately resolve these issues and disburse aid to our brave heroes who have so proudly earned it through their service to our state and nation.
“Our brave servicemen and women have made incredible sacrifices so we can enjoy our remarkable quality of life, and we must support them as they pursue their academic goals and dreams at our local colleges and universities,” said Representative Reedy. “We must ensure they have the resources they need to cover the cost of their education while safeguarding our colleges and universities from unnecessary financial burdens created by the backlog at the federal level. As a veteran, I will continue to fight for our military members and their families, and I am grateful that my colleagues have joined me in prioritizing the needs of these important groups by signing onto this letter.”
To view Representative Reedy’s letter to Chairman Roe and the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, please click here.
Jay Reedy serves as a member of the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee and Subcommittee, as well as the House Education Instruction & Programs Committee. He lives in Erin and represents House District 74, which includes all of Houston, Humphreys, and part of Montgomery Counties. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or by calling (615) 741-7098.