111th Congress Achieves Banner Year on Veterans Legislation

/PRNewswire/ -- Congress may be receiving low approval ratings from the general voting population, but The American Legion says lawmakers have done quite well on veterans issues this year.

"The 111th Congress may be remembered for banner legislation such as health-care reform, financial regulation and the recovery act," said Jimmie Foster, national commander of the Legion. "But, in our view, the real successes were the passage of bills that affected nearly every veteran in America."

Chief among the pieces of veteran-related legislation was the "Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009," which guarantees appropriations for VA health care one full year in advance.

Another significant milestone for the 111th Congress was the "Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010." The bill included substantially increased VA funding for fiscal 2010 – the agency's first budget to exceed $100 billion.

More recently enacted laws affecting veterans include the "Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010," which created a pilot program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers, and also addressed a number of issues important to women veterans and those residing in rural areas.

A bill signed in July provided $13.4 billion to compensate Vietnam veterans who have suffered ill effects from exposure to the toxic herbicide, Agent Orange.

Within the past month, bills have been passed that provide a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for veterans receiving VA benefits, and expand state veterans nursing-home care to include parents whose children have died on active duty.

The American Legion's legislative director, Tim Tetz, said that, although Congress is becoming increasingly partisan, "the bipartisan passage of so many veterans bills by the 111th Congress certainly demonstrates its commitment to honor the sacrifices of those who have served in uniform."

Still awaiting President Obama's signature is the "Veterans Benefits Act of 2010." This omnibus legislation will clarify and, in some cases, expand certain benefits – including those related to homeless veterans, burial benefits, and adaptive automobile allowances for disabled veterans.

Foster laid out The American Legion's legislative agenda for next year during testimony before a joint House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on Sept. 22. His list of priorities included a repeal of the disabled veterans tax, which penalizes military retirees by reducing their pension payments if they are receiving VA disability compensation.

The Legion also favors extending Post-9/11 GI Bill education funding to include vocational and distance-learning curricula, and providing benefits to more National Guard and reserve servicemembers.

Despite the work yet to be done, the Legion's national commander reiterated his praise for the 111th Congress. Reflecting upon his visit to Washington last month, Foster said, "I came to town to deliver my testimony on the needs of our nation's veterans. Before I left, Congress had passed half of our legislative agenda."

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AFGE Thanks Congress, President Obama for Advance Funding for Department of Veterans Affairs

/PRNewswire/ -- The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), today, praised President Barack Obama for signing the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act which will provide advance funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"This victory comes after years of advocating by AFGE and numerous veterans' organizations," said AFGE National President John Gage. "AFGE thanks President Obama for keeping his campaign promise to us and -- more importantly to America's veterans -- to guarantee advance funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs."

Present at the historic signing were AFGE National Secretary-Treasurer J. David Cox and Women's and Fair Practices National Vice President Augusta Thomas.

The Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act authorizes Congress to approve veterans medical care funding one year in advance to better meet the anticipated demand for veterans health care services.

"The advanced funding will give the Department of Veterans Affairs up to a full year to plan for the most effective and efficient way of delivering medical care," said National Secretary Treasurer and retired VA nurse J. David Cox. "America's veterans deserve this. This is a step in the right direction for the agency."

"Congress also included a requirement that the GAO audit VA's budget projections," explained Women's and Fair Practices National Vice President Augusta Thomas. "This move will further stabilize an agency where the current system of politics-driven funding clearly was not working."

"We are happy to move onward into a new era for the VA," said NVAC President Alma Lee. "And we look forward to VA health care dollars being used for patient needs and adequate front line staffing, not for excessive executive bonuses and new layers of management."

AFGE represents 90 percent (185,000) of the VA employees in more than 170 locals with 40 percent of its overall members being veterans. AFGE understands the dedication and work veterans have put in for this country; it should not go unnoticed. This is a milestone victory that will ensure medical attention to those who have served this country. It also stops the delay on the purchase of medical equipment or the hiring of doctors and nurses.

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Pelosi Statement on House Passage of Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act

/PRNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today on House passage of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, which will provide critical funding for veterans' health services and the construction of key facilities for training and housing our military. The bill passed today in the House by a vote of 415 to 3.

"Ensuring that the needs of our veterans are met is a top priority of this Congress. We honor their service and sacrifice by investing in health care for those who have worn our nation's uniform and the construction of key facilities for training and housing our military.

"With passage of this bill, the New Direction Congress has provided a 58 percent increase in funding for veterans' health care and benefits since January 2007.

"I am pleased that this legislation also includes advance appropriations for 2011. This ensures timely and predictable funding for the veterans' health care initiatives upon which so many Americans depend.

"Just last weekend, on July 4th, we celebrated the freedom that is uniquely available to us as Americans. Today we have honored our troops and our veterans who ensure this freedom with real investments in their well-being."

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President Affirms Commitment to Veterans

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- President Barack Obama's proposed Fiscal Year 2010 budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) affirms his administration's promise to swiftly address the needs of America's veterans, particularly those who are serving in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The 15% increase proposed by the president will greatly improve delivery of critical health care, seamless transition from military service to veteran status, and the processing of veterans' benefits claims.

An equally historic testament of Obama's commitment occurred days before the release of his budget plan. On February 24, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki and Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan attended a historic meeting with the Board of Directors of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV). They pledged their personal support to the community-based organizations working to end and prevent homelessness among veterans.

NCHV, which represents those organizations, has played a key role in reducing veteran homelessness by more than 40 percent in the last eight years, and has led the campaign for record funding levels in the budgets of several federal agencies: http://www.nchv.org/news_article.cfm?id=496.

"Many of us are veterans ourselves," NCHV Board Vice Chairman Patrick Ryan said to the new Cabinet officers. "Most of us have been involved directly addressing the needs of homeless veterans in our communities in every state in this nation.

"In the last eight years, there has been a significant increase in federal support for funding available to NCHV member organizations that provide direct support for homeless veterans. Not coincidentally, there has also been a significant decrease in the estimated number of homeless veterans. While our members are grateful for the federal support and are proud of the tens of thousands of veterans who have regained their dignity and ability to contribute to society, we cringe when we recall the opportunities that have been lost to serve more veterans during this time frame."

Shinseki and Donovan acknowledged the role of NCHV in the expanding campaign to end veteran homelessness as Ryan offered the organization's resources and experience to achieve that goal. "We understand no single agency can adequately address all the needs of homeless veterans," he said. "We offer our help to break down the silos which prevent government departments from working together in the most effective manner possible. NCHV member organizations work with our cities, counties, states, federal agencies, and other community organizations - including veteran service organizations - to obtain the resources to be successful. We truly believe we are the most effective instrument in the quest to end chronic homelessness among veterans."

Ryan commended Congress for recent actions based on NCHV recommendations to expand funding for veteran permanent supportive housing initiatives within HUD and VA, citing those as critical examples of what is possible through effective partnerships.

"We would also note that VA and Department of Defense own significant vacant land and unutilized buildings, and VA has nearly $50 million in unspent funds intended to provide housing for veterans but which cannot be spent due to changes in the housing landscape. We believe these assets are the cornerstones of an aggressive program for thousands of new units of permanent supportive housing for veterans who, due to health and economic hardships, deserve this nation's help in their greatest hour of need."

Record spending levels for successful community-based homeless assistance programs in partnership with the VA, HUD and Department of Labor in Fiscal Year 2009, and the president's first federal budget plan for FY 2010, signal a new era in the campaign to end and prevent homelessness for our nation's veterans.

Congress, the Obama administration, and our federal partners are on course to do what most Americans thought impossible just a decade ago. NCHV has helped change the history of this great nation, but the credit belongs to the sacrifices and triumphs of the military veterans we all serve.

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Bush Lauds House Passage of War Funding, More GI Bill Benefits

President Bush today praised the House of Representatives for passing a supplemental war spending bill that includes expanded Montgomery GI Bill benefits, and he urged the Senate to quickly do the same.

Bush said last night's approval of about $162 billion for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan will provide vital resources to servicemembers waging the war on terror.

"This legislation gives our troops the funds they need to prevail without tying the hands of our commanders in the field or imposing artificial timetables for withdrawal," he said.

The bill, as passed, also includes provisions expanding the GI Bill and allowing servicemembers to transfer unused educational benefits to their spouses and children.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates first heard the transferability issue raised during a military spouses' group meeting at Fort Hood, Texas, and pitched the idea to President Bush. The president liked the concept so much that he included it in his State of the Union address in January. Bush said in May during a Military Spouse Day celebration at the White House that he hoped to be able to sign the legislation into law quickly.

"It is the absolute right thing to do," he told the spouses. "It should send a clear message that we care for you, we respect you, and we love you."

Gates has said he believes the measure would boost both recruiting and retention.

About 97 percent of servicemembers sign up for the Montgomery GI Bill, but only about 70 percent actually use the benefit, and typically they use about half of the 36 months of benefits available to them, officials said.

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

Gingrey Applauds Passage of Clean Troop Funding Bill and Improvements Upon GI Bill

U.S. Congressman Phil Gingrey (R-GA), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today (June 19, 2008) voted in support of H.R. 2642, the Iraq and Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations Bill, which not only provides necessary funding for the Global War on Terror, but will also strengthen the educational benefit for our men and women in uniform who have so bravely served our nation.

“This bill is a true victory for our men and women in uniform,” said Gingrey. “Not only does this supplemental provide our warfighters the tools they need to continue their success in the Global War on Terror, but it also gives our soldiers returning home the access to higher education that they so richly deserve.”

“Over the last twenty years, the basic Montgomery GI Bill allowance has only increased by 193% while the average cost of a four-year public school – tuition, room and board – has increased by 278%. Given the many sacrifices that our soldiers have made defending our freedoms, it is only right that we address this discrepancy.”

“Republicans fought for the inclusion of provisions allowing the benefit to be transferred between soldiers and their immediate family members — provisions not included in the original Webb GI Bill — which members of the military cited as the most important aspect of any improved version of the GI bill. I was proud to stand with our soldiers — and their families — in supporting this much needed improvement.”

In addition to the transferability to the provisions of the GI Bill here are a few other key provisions House Republicans fought hard to include in the Iraq and Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations Bill are listed below:

· Provides Troop Funding for FY 2008-2009. The agreement ensures that our men and women in uniform will have the resources they need well into the next Administration, rejecting demands from Democrats to stop funding our troops who continue to make significant progress in Iraq and Afghanistan.

· Eliminates ALL War Restrictions. The agreement gets our troops the funding they need for success without any politically-motivated restrictions that the Democratic Majority pushed for in order to hamstring our commanders in the field.

· Provides New Resources for American Veterans. The agreement will help our veterans (or their families) get a better education after they return from Iraq and Afghanistan.

· Cuts Wasteful Pork. The agreement cuts $8 billion in wasteful Washington spending.

· Rejects Funding for Planned Parenthood. The agreement eliminates funding for Planned Parenthood.

· Ensures SCHIP Serves Low-Income Children First. The agreement eliminates a Senate Democrat-authored provision designed to overturn Administration efforts to ensure that SCHIP serves the neediest children first.

· Includes NO Tax Increases. The agreement includes no tax increases of any kind.

President Urges Congress to Pass Military Funding Bill

President Bush urged Congress on Saturday to immediately pass legislation that's urgently needed to fund military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and other important Defense Department programs.

"If Congress does not act, critical accounts at the Defense Department will soon run dry," Bush said during his weekly radio address to the nation. "At the beginning of next month, civilian employees may face temporary layoffs."

Also, if the legislation isn't soon approved, Bush said, the department will have to terminate "a vital program that is getting potential insurgents off the streets and into jobs."

If the required funding doesn't arrive by the end of July, "the department will no longer be able to pay our troops -- including those serving in Afghanistan and Iraq," Bush said.

In the absence of funding from Congress, the Pentagon will soon "run out of money it needs to support critical day-to-day operations that help to keep our nation safe," the president said.

Bush specified three requirements the funding bill must meet. The bill, he said, must provide troops the resources they need to defeat terrorists and extremists, that it should not tie the hands of U.S. commanders, and it must not exceed the reasonable funding levels that he requested.

The men and women in the U.S. armed forces and their families deserve the support of Congress, Bush said.

"Around the world, our troops are taking on dangerous missions with skill and determination," the president said. "In Afghanistan, they are delivering blows to the Taliban and al-Qaida."

U.S. forces serving in Iraq have "helped bring violence down to its lowest point since late March of 2004," Bush said. "Civilian deaths are down. Sectarian killings are down."

Improved security in Iraq has produced positive effects for Iraq's economy and across its political realm, Bush said.

"As security has improved, the economy has improved as well, and political reconciliation is taking place at the grassroots and national levels," Bush observed.

Concurrently, Iraq's security forces "are becoming more capable, and as they do, our troops are beginning to come home under a policy of return on success," Bush said.

Bush cited the courage and honor displayed by America's servicemembers as they perform difficult and dangerous duty in the war against terrorism.

"They've earned the respect of all Americans," Bush said of members of the armed forces. "And, they deserve the full support of Congress."

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service