VFW Washington Weekly
November 19, 2007

In This Issue:

1. Senate Committee Moves Veterans Healthcare Bills
2. House Passes Tax Benefits
3. Americans Can Text "Thanks" to Troops
4. Bush Signs Defense Bill

1. Senate Committee Moves Veterans Healthcare Bills:

The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee moved several VFW-supported healthcare bills forward on Wednesday. All of the bills aim to improve healthcare options for veterans. The bills now move to the full Senate for a vote. -- S. 2004, Epilepsy Centers of Excellence, would establish epilepsy centers of excellence in the VA. -- S. 2142, Veterans Emergency Care Fairness Act of 2007, would improve and clarify the reimbursement process for certain veterans who receive emergency care at a non-VA facility. -- S. 2160, Veterans Pain Care Act of 2007, would enhance and expand the VA's existing pain care management program. -- S. 2162, Mental Health Improvements Act of 2007 would improve the treatment and services provided by VA to veterans with post-traumatic stress and substance abuse disorders, and other mental health illnesses.

For more on the mark up or the bills, go to the Senate VA website at: http://veterans.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?pageid=16

2. House Passes Tax Benefits:

The House passed (410-0) a tax package that would benefit servicemembers and veterans. HR 3997, The Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act, would make permanent several provisions that allow for housing benefits, to include making thousands of veterans eligible for low-interest home loans. The bill would also extend tax credits to family members and survivors, and allow military personnel to decide whether they want to include combat pay as earned income for purposes of calculating their earned income tax credit.

For more on the bill, go to: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.03997:

3. Americans Can Text "Thanks" to Troops:

This Thanksgiving, as you and your family gather to give thanks for the freedoms you enjoy, please take a moment to thank the men and women of our military serving at home and abroad. Beginning at 6 a.m. Eastern on Saturday, Nov. 17, and ending at midnight, Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, you can text a message of thanks to our troops at 8-9-2-7-9. Our military forces, serving in 177 countries, will be able to view many of the messages. "America Supports You," a nationwide program launched by the Department of Defense, created this opportunity with the support of AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile. ASY recognizes citizens' support for our military men and women, and communicates that support to members of our Armed Forces.

To learn more about this and other programs that support our military men and women, visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil <http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/> .

4. Bush Signs Defense Bill:

President Bush signed the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Appropriation Act this week, providing $459.3 billion for defense programs. It includes funding for a 3.5 percent pay raise for all military personnel, for Army and Marine Corps personnel growth next year by 7,000 and, 5,000 respectively; for counselors, teachers and child care providers for military families; and for improvements in military medical care. The bill also includes $11.6 billion to build and transport to Iraq Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. Still being debated in the House and Senate Conference Committee is the National Defense Authorization Act.

**Congress is on recess until December 4th - we will publish our next Weekly on December 7th. Have a wonderful, safe Thanksgiving.