U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville has introduced the Automotive Support Services to Improved Safe Transportation (ASSIST) Act, aimed at assisting disabled veterans with vehicle modifications. The legislation seeks to provide the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with greater flexibility in offering financial assistance for necessary adaptations.
“We take things like driving or riding in a vehicle for granted, but for some veterans, operating a vehicle can be challenging without the proper modifications,” said Senator Tuberville. “Alabama is home to more than 400,000 veterans, and we want to ensure that each of them has the necessary resources to lead safe, independent lives. The ASSIST Act is a commonsense piece of legislation that would give veterans access to needed vehicle modifications such as ramps and device lifts. I’m proud to lead the ASSIST Act in the Senate and will continue fighting to help the heroes who have sacrificed so much for us.”
Currently, VA funding is limited to specific adaptive equipment like wheelchair tie-downs and van lifts. This restriction often prevents veterans from making essential modifications such as ramp systems and mobility device lifts. The ASSIST Act aims to address these limitations.
The bill follows other legislative efforts by Senator Tuberville focused on improving VA care and benefits delivery. Last week, it passed unanimously out of committee in the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Senator Tuberville serves Alabama in the U.S. Senate and is part of several committees including Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging.
