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For more on Legislation: Go to Thomas Legislative Information on the internet from the Library of Congress or The Senate & House Committees: thomas.loc.gov - House Committee on Veterans Affairs - The Senate Veterans Committee
HOUSE
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10/28/2009 |
House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Advances Bills to Enhance Veteran Protections |
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10/23/2009 |
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10/22/2009 |
Chairman Filner Supports Veteran Athletes and Military Paralympic Program |
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10/22/2009 |
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SENATE
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FROM: Congressman Ciro D. Rodriguez
HVAC’s Legislative Action 111th Congress:
Bills Passed by the House (Sent to the Senate for consideration unless otherwise noted as Public Law)
|
**S. 407 - To amend title 38, United States Code, to
provide for an increase, effective December 1, 2009, in the rates of
compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates
of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain
disabled veterans, to codify increases in the rates of such compensation
that were effective as of December 1, 2008, and for other purposes. S. 407 (Bill Summary) -- Passed the House on June 23, 2009. Became PL 111-37 on June 30th, 2009. Congressman Rodriguez was an original cosponsor on HR 1513, the House version of the bill. |
| **S. 614 -
A bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Airforce Service
Pilots ("WASP"). S. 614 - Passed the House on June 16, 2009. Became PL 111-40 on July 1st, 2009. Congressman Rodriguez was an original cosponsor on HR 2014, the House version of the bill. |
| **H.Res. 234 -
Expressing support for designation of a “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day”. H.Res. 234 -- Passed the House on March 24, 2009. |
| H.Res. 360 -
Urging all Americans and people of all nationalities to visit the national
cemeteries, memorials, and markers on Memorial Day. H.Res. 360 -- Passed the House on May 19, 2009. |
| *H.R. 23, as amended
- To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to establish the Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund to
provide benefits to certain individuals who served in the United States
merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval
Transport Service) during World War II.. H.R. 23 (Bill Summary) -- Full Committee Markup held on May 6, 2009. Ordered reported, amended, to the House for consideration. Passed the House on May 12, 2009. |
| H.R. 466, as amended
- To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit discrimination and acts
of reprisal against persons who receive treatment for illnesses, injuries,
and disabilities incurred in or aggravated by service in the uniformed
services. H.R. 466 (Bill Summary) -- Full Committee Markup held on May 6, 2009. Ordered reported, amended, to the House for consideration. Passed the House on June 8, 2009. |
| *H.R. 1016, as amended
- To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide advance appropriations
authority for certain medical care accounts of the Department of Veterans
Affairs, and for other purposes. H.R. 1016 -- Full Committee Markup held on June 10, 2009. Ordered reported, amended, to the House for consideration. Passed the House on June 23, 2009. |
| H.R. 1037, as amended
- To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a five-year pilot
project to test the feasibility and advisability of expanding the scope of
certain qualifying work-study activities under title 38, United States Code. H.R. 1037 (Bill Summary) -- - Full Committee Markup held on June 10, 2009. Ordered reported, amended, to the House for consideration. Passed the House on July 14, 2009. |
| H.R. 1088
- To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for a one-year period
for the training of new disabled veterans' outreach program specialists and
local veterans' employment representatives by National Veterans' Employment
and Training Services Institute. H.R. 1088 (Bill Summary) -- Full Committee Markup held on May 6, 2009. Ordered reported, amended, to the House for consideration. Passed the House on May 19, 2009. |
| H.R. 1089,
as amended - To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for
the enforcement through the Office of Special Counsel of the employment and
unemployment rights of veterans and members of the Armed Forces employed by
Federal executive agencies, and for other purposes. H.R. 1089 (Bill Summary) -- Full Committee Markup held on May 6, 2009. Ordered reported, amended, to the House for consideration. Passed the House on May 19, 2009. |
| H.R. 1170, as amended
- To amend chapter 21 of title 38, United States Code, to establish a grant
program to encourage the development of new assistive technologies for
specially adapted housing. H.R. 1170 (Bill Summary) -- Full Committee Markup held on May 6, 2009. Ordered reported, amended, to the House for consideration. Passed the House on May 19, 2009. |
| H.R. 1171,
as amended - To amend title 38, United States Code, to reauthorize
the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program for fiscal years 2010 through
2014. H.R. 1171 (Bill Summary) -- Passed the House on March 30, 2009. |
| H.R. 1172,
as amended - To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
include on the Internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs a list
of organizations that provide scholarships to veterans and their survivors. H.R. 1172 (Bill Summary) -- Full Committee Markup held on June 10, 2009. Ordered reported, amended, to the House for consideration. Passed the House on June 23, 2009. |
| H.R. 1211,
as amended - To amend title 38, United States Code, to
expand and improve health care services available to women veterans,
especially those serving in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi
Freedom, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. H.R. 1211 (Bill Summary) -- Full Committee Markup held on June 10, 2009. Ordered reported, amended, to the House for consideration. Passed the House on June 23, 2009. |
| *H.R. 1377,
as amended - To amend title 38, United States Code, to
expand veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility, and
for other purposes. H.R. 1377 (Bill Summary) -- Passed the House on March 30, 2009. |
| **H.R. 1513
- To increase, effective as of December 1, 2009, the rates of disability
compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates
of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain
service-connected disabled veterans, and for other purposes. H.R. 1513 (Bill Summary) -- Passed the House on March 30, 2009. See S 407 Became PL 111-37 on June 30th, 2009. |
* Congressman Rodriguez Cosponsor
** Congressman Rodriguez Original Cosponsor
Bills Ordered to be Reported to the House
| **H.R. 952, as amended
- To amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the meaning of ‘combat
with the enemy’ for purposes of service-connection of disabilities. H.R. 952 (Bill Summary) -- Full Committee Markup held on June 10, 2009. Ordered reported, amended, to the House for consideration. |
| *H.R. 1098, as amended
- To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the amount of
educational assistance payable by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
certain individuals pursuing internships or on-job training. H.R. 1098 (Bill Summary) -- Full Committee Markup held on June 10, 2009. Ordered reported, amended, to the House for consideration. |
| H.R. 1293
- To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an increase in the
amount payable by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to veterans for
improvements and structural alterations furnished as part of home health
services. H.R. 1293 (Bill Summary) -- Full Committee Markup held on July 15, 2009. Ordered reported to the House for consideration. |
| H.R.
1821, as amended - To amend chapter 31 of title 38, United States
Code, to increase vocational rehabilitation and employment assistance, and
for other purposes. H.R. 1821 (Bill Summary) -- Full Committee Markup held on June 10, 2009. Ordered reported, amended, to the House for consideration. |
| H.R. 2180 - To
amend title 38, United States Code, to waive housing loan fees for certain
veterans with service-connected disabilities called to active service. H.R. 2180 (Bill Summary) -- Full Committee Markup held on June 10, 2009. Ordered reported to the House for consideration. |
| H.R. 2770, as amended
- To amend title 38, United States Code, to modify and update provisions of
law relating to nonprofit research and education corporations, and for other
purposes. H.R. 2770 (Bill Summary) -- Full Committee Markup held on July 15, 2009. Ordered reported, amended, to the House for consideration. |
| **H.R. 3155, as amended
- To amend Title 38, United States Code, to provide certain caregivers of
veterans with training, support, and medical care, and for other purposes. H.R. 3155 (Bill Summary) -- Full Committee Markup held on July 15, 2009. Ordered reported, amended, to the House for consideration. |
| **H.R. 3219 -
To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the
laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs relating to insurance
and health care, and for other purposes. H.R. 3219 (Bill Summary) -- Full Committee Markup held on July 15, 2009. Ordered reported to the House for consideration. |
* Congressman Rodriguez Cosponsor
** Congressman Rodriguez Original Cosponsor
Bills Cosponsored by Congressman Rodriguez that have been Passed by the House as Amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act 2010 (Bills passed as amendments to the NDAA remain as separate legislation to be voted upon, though passage of the NDAA may preclude the necessity for separate legislation)
| *H.R. 82 - To
expand retroactive eligibility of the Army Combat Action Badge to include
members of the Army who participated in combat during which they personally
engaged, or were personally engaged by, the enemy at any time on or after
December 7, 1941. H.R. 82 -- Passed the House on June 25th, 2009 as part of the 2010 NDAA. |
| **H.R. 707 -
Home Front to Heroes Postal Benefits Act; Provides for a program under
which postal benefit vouchers are provided during FY2010 for members of the
Armed Forces who are serving in overseas operations or who are hospitalized
due to a disease or injury incurred as a result of such service. H.R. 707 -- Passed the House on June 25th, 2009 as part of the 2010 NDAA. |
| *H.R. 1308
(pilot program) - Veterans Mental Health Screening and Assessment Act
H.R. 1308 (pilot program) -- Passed the House on June 25th, 2009 as part of the 2010 NDAA. A pilot program based on HR 1308 was included in the 2010 NDAA. |
| **H.R. 1600
- Revises TRICARE (a Department of Defense [DOD] managed health care
program) to authorize treatment of autism spectrum disorders, if a health
care professional determines that such treatment is medically necessary.
H.R. 1600 -- Passed the House on June 25th, 2009 as part of the 2010 NDAA. |
| *H.R. 1633 -
Honor the WISH Act; Includes, as a person authorized to direct
disposition of the remains of a member of the Armed Forces who dies while on
active duty, the person identified by the decedent on the record of
emergency data maintained by the Secretary of the military department
concerned as the Person Authorized to Direct Disposition, regardless of the
relationship of the designee to the decedent. H.R. 1633 -- Passed the House on June 25th, 2009 as part of the 2010 NDAA. |
| **H.R. 1864
- To provide a pay increase of 3.4 percent for members of the uniformed
services for fiscal year 2010. H.R. 1864 -- Passed the House on June 25th, 2009 as part of the 2010 NDAA. |
| *H.R. 1872 -
Secure Electronic Military Separation Act; Amends the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 to direct the Secretary of Defense to
develop and implement a secure electronic method of forwarding DD Form 214
(Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to the appropriate
office of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in which the former member
of the Armed Forces will first reside. H.R. 1872 -- Passed the House on June 25th, 2009 as part of the 2010 NDAA. |
* Congressman Rodriguez Cosponsor
** Congressman Rodriguez Original Cosponsor
Congressman Rodriguez’s top priorities are:
HR 2735 – Homeless Veteran Grant & Per Diem Program Improvement – will ensure programs that provide services to homeless veterans (shelter, counseling, drug addiction intervention, employment search services, job training, etc.) are more adequately funded (see Dear Colleague for details)
Improving mental health treatment (more psychiatrists/psychologists, ensuring rural access to mental health care, better screening of PTSD and TBI, etc)
- Mandatory, immediate, consistent, and recurring mental health care counseling for all active personnel upon return from deployments; include family members in counseling and diagnosis process; long-term focus versus focus on immediate time following redeployment (years versus months)
- Improved/increased counseling for family members
Improving rural veteran access to care (via VA facilities, contracts, mobile units, particularly implementation of Rural Veteran Pilot Program under PL 110-387 Section 403, etc)
Seamless transition between DoD and VA
Payment timeliness to providers on VA contracts
***These are all very overarching issues. Congressman Rodriguez believes that improvement in these areas will have far reaching effects in all areas of veteran care.
VA/Defense Bills Congressman Rodriguez has sponsored in 111th Congress:
HR 2735 - Homeless Grant & Per Diem Program Improvements
HR 3279 - Veterans Rural Health Centers of Excellence
HR 3280 - Transportation Grants for Rural VSOs
HR 3281 - Demonstration Projects for Rural Veteran Health Care
HR 3282 - Veteran Readjustment and Mental Health Services
HR 3283 - Travel Reimbursement for Veterans
VA/Defense Bills Congressman Rodriguez has co-sponsored in 111th Congress:
Sen HR 23 - Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2009
HR 32 - Veterans Outreach Act of 2009
NDAA HR 82 - Combat Action Badge Retroaction
HR 147 - Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund
HR 270 - TRICARE Continuity of Coverage for National Guard and Reserve Families Act of 2009
HR 333 - Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act
Sen HR 347 - WWII American Japanese Regiment Congressional Gold Medal
Sen HR 403 - Homes for Heroes Act of 2009
HR 433 - REWARD Act of 2009
HR 484 - Chiropractic Health Parity for Military Beneficiaries Act
HR 613 - Military Retiree Survivor Comfort Act
** HR 666 - Military Valor Roll of Honor
HR 667 - Heroes at Home Act of 2009
**NDAA HR 707 - Home Front to Heroes Postal Benefits Act
** HR 775 - Military Surviving Equity Act
HR 816 - Military Retirees Health Care Protection Act
**Hs HR 952 - COMBAT Act
Sen HR 1016 - Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009
** HR 1075 - RECOVER Act (Restoring Essential Care for Our Veterans for Effective Recovery)
Hs HR 1098 - Veterans' Worker Retraining Act of 2009
** HR 1182 - Military Spouses Residency Relief Act
HR 1197 - Medal of Honor Health Care Equity Act
HR 1203 - Federal and Military Retiree Health Care Equity Act
Sen HR 1209 - Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act of 2009
Sen HR 1211 - Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act
** HR 1302 - VA Director of Physician Assistant Services
#NDAA HR 1308 - Veterans Mental Health Screening and Assessment Act
HR 1313 - Troops to Teachers Improvement Act of 2009
Sen HR 1377 - Expansion of VA Reimbursement for Service-Connected Care at Non-VA Facilities
HR 1428 - Parkinson's and Vietnam Veterans
** PL HR 1513 - Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2009
S 407 became PL 111-37 on June 30th, 2009
HR 1591 - Fulfilling America’s Promise to Our Veterans Act
**NDAA HR 1600 - Autism Tricare Bill
NDAA HR 1633 - Honor the WISH Act
HR 1695 - Reduce minimum age for receipt of military retired pay for non-regular service
** HR 1818 - The Disabled Veterans Commissary and Exchange Store Benefits Act
**NDAA HR 1864 - 3.4% Military Payraise for 2010
NDAA HR 1872 - Secure Electronic Military Separation Act
**PL HR 2014 - Congressional Gold Medal for WWII WASP Pilots
S 614 became PL 111-40 on July 1st, 2009
HR 2017 - Federal Charter for MOAA
HR 2097 - Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Act
HR 2243 - Surviving Spouses' Benefit Improvement Act of 2009
HR 2254 - Agent Orange Equity Act of 2009
HR 2304 - Soldiers Targeted by Offensive Profiteering Act of 2009 (STOP Act)
**Sen HR 2325 - Laredo Veterans Post Office
** HR 2416 - Require VA to use Veteran-Owned Small Businesses
HR 2456 - Veterans Education Tuition Support Act of 2009
** HR 2547 - Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act
HR 2559 - National Media Campaign for Homeless Veterans
** HR 2598 - Bataan Death March Congressional Gold Medal
HR 2738 - Family Caregiver Travel Expenses
** HR 2756 - The Veterans Home Loan Refinance Opportunity Act of 2009
**Hs HR 3155 - Caregiver Assistance and Resource Enhancement Act
**Hs HR 3219 - Veterans Insurance and Health Care Improvements Act of 2009
HRes 89 - Support Veterans’ Day
** HRes 203 - Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day
**Pass HRes 234 - Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day
Pass HRes 259 - Recognizing 65th Anniversary of D-Day
** HRes 291 - Tower of Hope Resolution
**Pass HRes 339 - Honoring Captain Phillips and the Maersk Alabama
HRes 398 - Recognizing the 60th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift's success
** HRes 408 - Honoring Family Readiness Volunteers
**Pass HRes 420 - Support Flag Day
HRes 445 - Honoring 100 years of military aviation
HRes 513 - Gold Star Mothers Day
Sen HConRes 84 - National Military Appreciation Month
HConRes 139 - USAFA 1st Class Anniversary
** Congressman Rodriguez Original Cosponsor
Sen Passed full House and reported to the Senate for consideration
Hs Passed full Committee and reported to the full House for consideration
Pass Passed full House (HRes - House Resolutions)
NDAA Passed as Amendment to NDAA 10
#NDAA Version/Pilot Project passed as Amendment to NDAA 10
PL House or Senate Version signed by President into Public Law
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Private Sector Groups
Present Cutting Edge
Technology and Treatment Options for Veterans at Hearing
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2009
On Wednesday, May 13, 2009, House Committee on
Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Bob Filner conducted a hearing to learn about the
innovative technology and treatments which are currently available or are in
development to help veterans. The hearing focused on how private sector
companies work with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide veterans
access to the latest technologies.
“While I applaud VA for being the leader in research and treatment of such
conditions as traumatic brain injury (TBI), it is important that our veterans
have access to other ground-breaking treatment modalities which have been
developed in the private sector,” said Chairman Filner. “We are here today not
to advocate for any company in particular, but to highlight the recent
discoveries in treatments and technologies that result from the incredible
ingenuity of Americans. There is a shared sense that we can do better for our
veterans and for their recoveries.”
The first panel discussed research, new inventions, and technological upgrades
that could be used to help veterans recover. Products to improve the delivery
of health care to rural veterans were discussed which included new upgrades to
patient video conferencing equipment and mobile surgery units which would allow
VA to provide care instead of contracting out surgical services. Witnesses
discussed cutting edge research that has proven beneficial for those with vision
and hearing loss by restoring the function of damaged tissue using stem cells.
Also discussed was screening technology which allows early detection of oral
cancer. Some treatments and technologies are in use at VA medical centers
across the country, but a national universal implementation plan is lacking.
The second panel stressed the importance of aggressive and diligent research to
work towards faster and more accurate diagnoses of conditions that affect
veterans. Dr. Howard Federoff, Executive Vice President for Health Sciences at
Georgetown University, testified:
“Members of this Committee know very well that the vast majority of military personnel who are returning from the field having experienced TBI are very young. God willing, they have long lives ahead. Therefore it is incumbent upon us to ensure that we are aggressive in just this kind of research endeavor that looks beyond the immediate consequences of even mild TBI. With this kind of research, we can address the ‘silent epidemic’ before it takes a toll on the long-term quality of life of those who are serving our country. I urge you to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs, in close concert with both the Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services, remain vigilant in pursuing the identification both of these bio-molecular signatures and of effective therapeutic responses to TBI.”
Filner concluded: “Many of the ideas discussed today provide benefits to veterans and save money. By detecting cancer earlier, we can eliminate costly treatment at the same time we reduce the number of veterans that suffer from this horrible disease. There is new technology that literally opens up fields of vision for brain injured patients. I would like to thank these groups for coming today to help generate excitement for the new opportunities for healing for our injured veterans. If it works, let’s use it!”
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Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. House of Representatives
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The Senate Veterans Committee
COMMITTEE APPROVES OBAMA VA NOMINEES
Chairman urges Senate to confirm nominations without delay
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs unanimously approved the nomination of four nominees to join Secretary Shinseki’s leadership team at the Department of Veterans Affairs: Roger W. Baker, to be Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology; Will A. Gunn, to be General Counsel; Jose D. Riojas, to be Assistant Secretary for Operations, Security, and Preparedness; and John U. Sepulveda, to be Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration.
Committee Chairman Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) issued the following statement after the vote:
“VA needs a confirmed leadership team to implement the changes President Obama and Secretary Shinseki have pledged for veterans and their families. I urge my Senate colleagues to approve their nominations without delay.”
Last week, Akaka chaired a hearing to review the four nominees. The nominations now move to the Senate floor for a final confirmation vote.
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