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Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) voted to pass H.R. 4673, the Ensuring Veterans’ Smooth Transition (EVEST) Act. This bipartisan legislation builds on Congresswoman Escobar’s efforts to meaningfully reduce veteran suicide by closing one of the most glaring gaps in accessing high quality VA health services – the enrollment process. By automatically enrolling eligible veterans in VA healthcare, the EVEST Act will simplify the transition process and take steps toward preventing veteran suicide.

The EVEST Act includes an amendment offered by Congresswoman Escobar to ensure that servicemembers who were discharged up to 90 days before the enactment of this legislation can also reap its benefits.

“As a proud representative of the strong and growing El Paso veteran community and of Fort Bliss in Congress – where thousands of our service members transition to civilian life – one of my top priorities has been to protect our veterans and their families in the same way they have served and defended our country,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “With the EVEST Act, the House of Representatives took an important step to prevent veteran suicide by ensuring newly transitioned veterans do not miss the opportunity to access the VA benefits they deserve and are entitled to – including high quality mental health.” 

The EVEST Act was introduced by House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (CA-41) and has the support of Paralyzed Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, the Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs, the American Federation of Government Employees, the Veterans Health Policy Institute, and the American Psychological Association. 

To view the bill text, click here and to view Congresswoman Escobar’s floor remarks offering the amendment, click here.