The Senate today unanimously passed SF 1959, the majority’s comprehensive Veterans budget and policy package. With the adoption of a pivotal amendment to safeguard veterans’ access to benefits, the legislation earned bipartisan support.

“The Veterans bill has long been an area of bipartisan cooperation and collaboration,” Senator Bruce Anderson (R-Buffalo), Republican lead of the Senate Veterans Subcommittee, said. “The original legislation contained a provision that could have undermined the benefits our veterans deserve. I am grateful that we found common ground and passed a bill that better honors the sacrifices of our Minnesota veterans.”

Ensuring choice for Minnesota veterans seeking benefits

One of the most concerning provisions in the original legislation would have limited Minnesota veterans’ ability to choose who assists them in applying for benefits. It would have required that only individuals accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, such as County Veterans Service Officers, could help with claims. This would have cut off private options for veterans needing help with VA benefits and prevented them from hiring an attorney if their claims were denied.

With the adoption of a bipartisan amendment, the controversial accreditation language was removed from the bill.

“This language was not about helping our veterans, it was about government control. Stripping away choice harms Minnesota veterans, and I am glad to see the language removed so our veterans can access the benefits they have earned,” Sen. Anderson said.

Properly defining the “veteran of the Secret War in Laos”
Though the accreditation language was removed, the legislation still includes a controversial, broad definition of “veteran of the Secret War in Laos.” It provides privileges, such as state veterans cemetery burial and veteran designation on driver’s licenses, to a limited group of Special Guerilla Unit members recruited by the U.S. during the Vietnam War. However, it excluded other Southeast Asian members, including Cambodian, Laotian, Vietnamese, Thai, South Korean, and Khmer Republic forces and others who served in similar roles.

“It is important that we recognize the sacrifices of those who served in the Secret War, but we must do so in a way that is fair and consistent. The language in this bill is too broad and excludes others who served in similar roles. We need to refine the language to ensure clarity and uphold the integrity of how we recognize veterans here in Minnesota. It is my hope the conference committee process will give us better language,” Sen. Anderson said.