WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND), both members of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC), introduced a bipartisan bill that would provide support to veterans in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) applying for the benefits they earned in service to the nation. The TAP Promotion Act would allow accredited representatives from Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), or other organizations, to participate in TAP classes to help transitioning servicemembers file Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) claims.

TAP is offered at over 300 installations around the world and helps prepare servicemembers for civilian life. Since TAP classroom instructors are not legally allowed to help veterans fill out benefits paperwork, having an accredited representative physically present in TAP classrooms during Veterans Affairs (VA) briefings would ease and simplify the process as service members transition to veteran status. Through BDD, servicemembers can file expedited claims and complete medical evaluations before leaving service. Accelerating claims decisions would allow transitioning servicemembers to have minimal gaps in essential care like mental health counseling and medication management once they officially leave service.

“Every year approximately 200,000 servicemembers transition out of military service into civilian life, whether the servicemember is finishing their first deployment, or retiring,” said Senator King. “The TAP Promotion Act would allow these servicemembers to connect with an informed, VA accredited representative who can mentor them in the process of applying for and receiving the benefits they earned. Thanks to my colleagues for understanding the importance of serving our veterans—just as they have served us throughout their careers.”

“The Transition Assistance Program, otherwise known as TAP, is one of the most important tools we have to help service members prepare for life after the military,” said Senator Cramer. “But, of course, information alone isn’t enough. It takes people. State and county Veterans Service Officers are often the first ones to help veterans access benefits that veterans themselves have earned. I think it’s important to always remember that—they’ve earned these benefits. What our bill does is it makes sure they are part of the process from the start and not brought in after a veteran is already out the door.”

“No service member should walk out the gate on their final day in uniform without a clear path to the care and benefits they earned. The TAP Promotion Act ensures that VA-accredited representatives can participate in TAP briefings and assist with Benefits Delivery at Discharge claims, helping prevent unnecessary delays in compensation, mental health care, and other critical services. This is a practical, bipartisan fix that improves oversight, strengthens transition outcomes, and honors our nation’s commitment to those who served. The VFW is proud to support Senators King and Cramer in advancing this important legislation,” said VFW National Legislative Service Associate Director Joy Craig.

In addition to King and Cramer, the bill is cosponsored by Senators John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Jim Risch (R-ID), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Susan Collins (R-ME), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tim Scott (R-SC), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), John Curtis (R-UT), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Ashley Moody (R-FL), and Rick Scott (R-FL).

Representing one of the states with the highest rates of military families and veterans per capita, Senator King is a staunch advocate for America’s servicemembers and veterans. On the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC), he works to ensure American veterans receive their earned benefits and that the VA is properly implementing various programs. Earlier this year he introduced the Ensuring Benefits for Disabled Veterans Act, which would address an unfair rule in federal law that creates unnecessary delays when veterans with service-connected disabilities attempt to access earned education and employment benefits. Last year, Senator King was honored by the Disabled American Veterans as its 2025 Legislator of the Year. He was also recognized by the Wounded Warrior Project as the 2024 Legislator of the Year for his “outstanding legislative effort and achievement to improve the lives of the wounded, ill, and injured veterans.”

###