Last year, I joined my California colleagues in expressing concern over the VA’s significant delay in processing Post 9/11 GI benefits and requested information detailing what actions the VA is taking to correct the situation. I have heard from many North State veterans who have been struggling financially to make ends meet or have even had to put their education on hold while they wait for VA to process their benefits. Given this widespread concern, I wanted to share the VA’s response with you that details their efforts to reduce the claims backlog and process the GI benefits payments as quickly as possible . Please know that I will continue to closely monitor this issue to ensure that our veterans receive their education benefits in a more timely matter.