WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10) today announced her support for the Veteran’s ID Card Act, H.R.2985; a measure streamlining the process for all veterans to obtain an identification card from the Veterans Administration (VA). Currently only veterans who have a service connected disability or have served at least 20 years are able to receive an ID card from the VA. This measure Miller is cosponsoring will open up the availability to receive a Veterans ID Card to all those who have previously served in the military and minimize potential identity theft issues.

“As a former Secretary of State, I appreciate the importance of providing access to a secure ID card. For those men and women who have served our nation in times of peace and in times of war, the current option available for all veterans is to carry a paper identification form called a DD-214. This does not properly protect their personal information and is not a sufficient option for many of our veterans,” Miller said. “This measure, the Veteran’s ID Card Act, seeks to correct this deficiency. Within Macomb County, MI, our local officials are currently making strides to provide our veterans with an ID card. I congratulate Macomb County Clerk/Register of Deeds Carmella Sabaugh for her vigilance and pursuing this issue in Macomb County. While this ID card is one step closer to becoming available for veterans within Macomb County, I hope to see this nationally available and urge my colleagues in the U.S. House to support its swift passage.”

NOTE: The Veteran’s ID Card Act, H.R. 2985, introduced by Rep. Todd Akin (MO-02), seeks to:
• Provide proof of military service for those who currently have no simple means to do so;
• Minimize the potential of identity theft through the potential loss or theft of a form DD-214;
• Provide employers looking to hire veterans a standard way to verify an employee’s military service; and
• Provide military veterans the ability to take part in the goods, services or promotional opportunities that are offered to those who are able to provide proof of military service.

In order to ensure that this legislation has minimal impact on the VA and can be done in a budget neutral way, this legislation:
• Requires a veteran who seeks to obtain this ID card to pay for the initial and any subsequent replacement cards;
• Requires the VA to determine the cost of such a card and apply a fee to the card appropriately to cover all costs;
• Uses the equipment already in place at VA facilities across the country to issue the card and collect payment;
• Requires the Secretary of the VA to review and assess costs every five years and change the fee structure appropriately to cover all ID costs under this bill.

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