U.S. Representative Scott Perry (PA-10) joined Representatives Van Taylor (TX-03), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), and 231 bipartisan Members of Congress to urge the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) to resume processing military personnel, health and medical records requests during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On March 23, 2020, the NPRC stopped processing requests for military personnel records except for a limited number of requests related to medical emergencies and burials. While the health and safety of NPRC staff is paramount, the Agency’s decision to halt operations resulted in a growing backlog of unprocessed requests and delays in Veteran benefits from the VA and Department of Defense.
The letter urges NPRC Director Scott Levins “to implement new policies and procedures that can both protect NPRC’s workforce and ensure our Nation’s Veterans are getting the records they need and deserve in a timely fashion.”
“Our Nation is indebted to the men and women who selflessly serve(d) and protect(ed) our Nation, and we must ensure the care and benefits they earned. COVID-19 has impacted everyone, but our Veterans shouldn’t have to wait on their benefits. Veterans in my district are impacted by the NPRC’s delay, and my office is working tirelessly to advocate for them and ensure that they receive their records in a timely manner. I thank Reps. Taylor and Panetta for their leadership on this issue, and I’m proud to join a large, bipartisan group of colleagues to advocate for the care of our Veterans,” said Rep. Perry.
The full text of the letter can be found by clicking here.
