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VFW Washington Weekly
May 26, 2008
In This Issue:
1. Tough Fight Still Awaits New GI Bill
2. House Passes Vet Bills
3. Senate Healthcare Hearing
4. House Approves FY09 NDAA
5. Congress in Recess
1. Tough Fight Still Awaits New GI Bill:
The Senate voted 75-22 to advance the VFW-backed GI Bill for the 21st century, but no one is celebrating yet, because S. 22 is attached to a war supplemental funding bill that also includes billions in domestic spending that the president said he would veto. Though there is still a long way to go before the 21st century GI Bill becomes reality, all VFW members should take great pride in yesterday's overwhelming affirmation in the Senate. The Senate package now goes to the House to reconcile differences. The House passed the 21st century GI Bill last week by a vote of 256-166.
Go here to see how your senator voted: http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm ?congress=110&session=2&vote=00137
Go here to see how your representative voted: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll330.xml
2. House Passes Vet Bills:
The House cleared several VFW-supported bills this week. They are: . H.R. 5856 would authorize funds for construction and leases of a number of VA medical facilities, to include a polytrauma health care and rehabilitation facility in San Antonio, construction of a new facility in Las Vegas, and consolidation of two VA campuses in Pittsburgh. . H.R. 3819 would reimburse veterans receiving emergency treatment in non-VA facilities until the veteran is transferred to a VA facility . H.R. 5826 would provide a cost-of- living increase for disability compensation, DIC, and a clothing allowance based on the rate of increase given Social Security effective December 31, 2008. . H.R. 3480 protects grave markers from crimes by enforcing federal desecration laws.
3. Senate Healthcare Hearing:
VFW testified last week before the Senate VA Committee on a broad range of health care bills. The legislation before the committee ranged from new ways to fund the VA health care system, mental health benefits for the newest generation of veterans, outreach efforts, and benefits for those who offer home care for the severely wounded. Some of the bills we testified in support of include: . S. 2639, Assured Funding for Veterans Health Care Act, would provide a funding mechanism to ensure that VA is given a sufficient, timely and predictable budget. . S. 2797 would authorize the construction and leasing of a number of major medical facilities throughout the country. . S. 2799, The Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act, would expand and improve health care services provided to female veterans, to include requiring VA to hire a full-time women veterans' program manager at each medical center. . S. 2929, The Caring for Wounded Warriors Act, would create pilot programs to improve care for veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries. It would also offer training and certification programs for family caregivers to serve as personal care attendants, thus qualifying them for VA compensation.
For a complete listing of bills and/or to read VFW testimony, go to the Senate VA Committee website at: http://veterans.senate.gov/public/
4. House Approves FY09 NDAA:
The House passed the FY 2009 National Defense Authorization Act last week by a vote of 384-23. Among many other defense initiatives, the bill provides a 3.9-percent pay raise for all service members; much need money for National Guard and Reserve equipment; military construction funding to improve and upgrade housing, recreation and other defense facilities; increases Army and Marine personnel end strength; and prohibits fee increases in TRICARE and its pharmacy program.
5. Congress in Recess:
Congress recessed on Thursday for the Memorial Day weekend and will return to Washington June 2. Still awaiting passage is VA Funding (Appropriations), War Supplemental funding, Defense bill provisions and other veterans' bills important to the VFW. Now is a great time to make an appointment to visit your members in their district offices. Review the VFW legislative Priority Goals and tell your elected officials that we expect them to do the right thing for all veterans.
For a list of House/Senate district offices, go to: http://capwiz.com/vfw/dbq/officials/ |