Category Archives: Politics

Politics

The Last Ride

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I no more than just completed the thoughts about the early passing of Vietnam Veterans, and I then attend a funeral of an Army Airborne pal, who served two tours in the Nam, with two Bronze Stars and two purple hearts. He was the consummate warrior who tapped into the soul of all of his comrades in arms. He was 61 when he died.

Escorted by approximately 90 American Legion Patriot Riders to the National Veterans Cemetery in Sierra Vista, Jungle Jim Grainger took his last ride to glory.

In 2003, Jungle Jim, escorted myself, my wife, and my son on the ride of our life; Run For the Wall, culminating into Rolling Thunder in Washington DC on Memorial Day.. He introduced us to some of the finest soldiers and Marines on earth. He made me feel my veteraness from the inside, as he had a way of honoring our core being in ways that only the warrior knows.

Yet one night, at the home of his former Officer in Falls Church, Va., Tom Carhart, now an archivist for the Army and West Point, we sat on the patio quizzing ourselves about why our buddies die so young…. as if we were immune! The speculations were abundant: survivor guilt, repression of true emotions about our actions that simply take their toll on the endocrine system. Of course crummy health habits. Anger and rage turned inward. Who knows? Really who knows? War has a long half life in the soma and the psyche. I do know that when I read the Obituaries in the Veteran magazine published by Vietnam Veterans of America, the majority of the birth dates hover around 1946-50. Whats up with this?

I will just repeat what they said about Jungle Jim Grainger at the cemetery. “He never really came home.” Maybe that is the key to understanding a mortality rate that does not have to be.

Politics

WWll Veterans Gathering

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Subject: Press Release: Gathering of Warriors at the Pima Air and Space Museum–Veterans of WWII

Press Release

For Immediate Release
October 2, 2009
Contact: Paula Maxwell
Office: 520/321-1492

Gathering of Warriors at the Pima Air and Space Museum–Veterans of WWII

We are proud to announce a very special event at the Pima Air and Space Museum Saturday, October 10. This event is to honor our Arizona WWII Veterans, both men and women, who gave so much to our country in time of war. The gates will open at 4:30 PM with KUAT starting the program, in hanger 4, with their “Tucson Remembers WWII” one hour TV special. Starting at 5 PM U.S. Senator John McCain, AZ Governor Jan Brewer and other VIP’s are scheduled for a meet and greet with the WWII Veterans and their guests in the 390th Bomber Group Hanger. This meeting will be open to the media but you must contact me if you wish to attend as arrangements have to be made for your transportation with the Pima Air and Space Museum Staff.

At about 5:45 PM we will bring everyone back to hanger 4 where the program will start. A band and group singing music from the 1940’s will be underway as we transition into hanger 4 and start the program. Senator McCain will speak at about 6:15 and the Governor later in the program.

We expect in excess of 600 people in attendance with more than 100 of these being WWII Veterans. Having talked to number of these men and women on the phone I can attest to the fact each one has a very unique and interesting story to tell. I wish we had time for all of them to be told. If you have questions or wish to attend the meeting in the 390th Bomber Group Hanger please call me

Walt Stephenson——–Event Coordinator
398-4755
Cell: 591-0451

###

Paid for by the Pima County Republican Party.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

Politics, Veteran Legislative Update, Veterans Benefits, Veterans' Spouses, Partners & Families

GI Bill Update

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Subject: GI Bill Update – Transportation Assistance

Secretary Shinseki Announces Ability to Sign Up for Emergency Education Benefit Payments on VA Web-Site this Friday

Vans to Help Veteran-Students

WASHINGTON (Sept. 30, 2009) – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki today announced further outreach to Veteran-students eligible for a special emergency payment of their education benefits. Veterans can now apply online beginning Oct. 2. Veteran-students can also request courtesy transportation to VA regional benefits offices.

“Our Veterans went the extra mile for their country,” Shinseki said. “One of our top priorities in transforming VA is to be, first and foremost, the advocate for Veterans.”

Last week Shinseki announced that on Friday, Oct. 2, VA’s 57 regional benefits offices will begin providing on-the-spot emergency payments up to $3,000 to students who have applied for their education benefits but who have not yet received a government payment.

Citing the distance many Veterans would have to travel to apply in person at a VA benefits office, Shinseki announced Veterans can also apply online at www.va.gov, starting Oct. 2. The online application will guide Veterans through the process to supply needed information. Shinseki noted that online applicants will receive their emergency payments through the mail after processing.

“VA is adapting to meet the financial needs of our Veteran-students who are on campus,” Shinseki said. “They should be focusing on their studies, not worrying about financial difficulties.”

Students without their own transportation can also request free van service, provided by volunteers, to carry them to the nearest benefits office. To obtain this service, Veterans would have to call their nearest VA medical center and ask for the “Volunteer Transportation Coordinator.” Transportation will be on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis. Veterans can find a map and list of medical centers at http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=1.

Whether traveling by personal vehicle or volunteer van, VA officials suggest students check their mail boxes and banking accounts before leaving home, since some Veterans will find their checks have already arrived. VA would like to recognize the volunteers and Veterans Service Organizations for partnering with the Department to ensure that Veterans’ needs are met.

The emergency checks are an advance on each student’s education benefits, and the amount will be deducted from future benefits payments. Checks will be written at the regional offices for Veterans who bring a photo ID and evidence of their enrollment. VA officials emphasize that $3,000 is the maximum payment, with many Veterans receiving smaller payments based upon their likely monthly education benefits.

A map and list of the participating VA regional benefits offices is available on the Internet at http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=3. The most updated information regarding VA issuing emergency checks will be available at VA’s web site www.va.gov starting Oct. 1.

Applications from approximately 25,000 Veterans are currently being processed for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefit payments to students or schools.

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Politics, Veteran Legislative Update, Veterans Benefits

Unique Concept of Veterans Court

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Veterans Court takes center stage at House Veterans Affairs full committee roundtable meeting

NEWS FROM…
CHAIRMAN BOB FILNER
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-9756

http://veterans.house.gov

House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Roundtable on Veterans’ Treatment Courts
Discussion Focuses on Successful Courts Aiming to Leave No Veteran Behind

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, September 16, 2009, Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) led a roundtable discussion on judicial courts that only hear cases involving veterans and provide judges greater latitude in sentencing for non-violent crimes. Modeled after drug and mental health treatment courts, judges are able to order counseling, substance abuse treatment, mentoring, job training, housing assistance, and job placement services as alternatives to incarceration. With both Democratic and Republican Members of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee in attendance, participants discussed their efforts to help veterans avoid jail by connecting them to necessary treatment and support.

“Today’s roundtable is intended to open up the broader thought process of how to help veterans fully integrate into society after service in the military,” said Chairman Filner. “I believe that we have a social responsibility to help those who have served our nation. We failed our veterans after their service in Vietnam and we cannot fail again. Veterans’ treatment courts provide an opportunity for a more humane response to those that bring the war home with them. We sent these kids to war – and war has affected their mental and psychological condition. Providing support for returning veterans is an obligation we owe to those who have sacrificed so much for our country.”

Currently, Veterans’ Treatment Courts operate in New York, Alaska, California, Oklahoma, Illinois, and Pennsylvania, with other states working to establish similar programs. Highlights of the different courts include partnering veterans with mentors who are veterans, appointing public defenders who encourage active veteran participation in the court room, ensuring that veterans get the appointments they need for VA services, and addressing underlying problems like substance use, unemployment and homelessness. Judges relayed that their goal is to run a demanding program that requires personal responsibility and renewed discipline. Defendants are veterans of Iraq, Afghanistan, Desert Storm, Vietnam, and even the Korean War. Participants noted that the costs of veterans’ courts are significantly lower than the costs of incarceration.

“These courts save money, but more importantly, they save lives,” said Chairman Filner. “Nearly two million veterans have returned from combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Often, veterans struggle to adjust to the sudden loss of military camaraderie. Some return with anxiety, post-traumatic stress, or other psychological wounds of war and may self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. Others return with physical injuries that require prescription drugs that can lead to addiction. When veterans suffer from substance dependency disease, jobs are lost, marriages tested, and families suffer. Understandably, illegal actions can result in less than honorable discharges from the military – but then these veterans are prevented from accessing the VA services they so obviously need. I applaud the hard work and healing spirit of the experts here today. As veterans graduate from these programs, our grateful nation stands behind them and celebrates their bravery once again.”
Participants
Honorable Robert T. Russell, Jr., Judge, Buffalo City Court, Buffalo, New York
Patrick William Welch, Ph.D., Director, Erie County Veterans Service Agency, Buffalo, New York
Jack O’Connor, Mentor Coordinator, Veterans Court Mentoring Program, Buffalo, New York
Jennifer P. Stergion, Esq., Chair, Committee on Veterans and Service-Members Legal Issues, Buffalo, New York
C. “West” Huddleston, III, Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Drug Court Professionals
Honorable Michael E. McCarthy, Judge, Civil Division, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Honorable Charles V. Romani, Jr., Circuit Judge, Madison County Circuit Court, Edwardsville, Illinois
William F. Feeley, MSW, FACHE, Director, VA Medical Center, Buffalo, New York
George P. Basher, Health System Specialist for the VA Healthcare Network (VISN2), Albany, New York
Prepared testimony and a link to a recording of the hearing are available on the internet at this link: http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/hearing.aspx?newsid=464.

Health, Politics, Veteran Legislative Update

What Fate Holds for Current Congress

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I cannot help but wonder how this health care debate will spill out. The level of enmity and identity politics is reeling so far out of control that I think we need a Psychiatric Department added to the Cabinet.

If for a moment our readers can suspend their editorial inclinations, and chime into something substantial and concrete, I would love to hear some predictions about how health care reform will look by Christmas. Or will it have a look?

A man must know his destiny. if he does not recognize it, then he is lost. By this I mean, once, twice, or at the very most, three times, fate will reach out and tap a man on the shoulder. if he has the imagination, he will turn around and fate will point out to him what fork in the road he should take, if he has the guts, he will take it.” Gen. George S. Patton

Politics, Veteran Legislative Update, Veterans Benefits

Important Lawsuit Filed by Veterans For Common Sense

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Veterans For Common Sense et al. v. Peake,
Case No. C 07 3758, U.S.D.C. (N.D. Cal. 2007)
Home
Court-filed Documents
Other Important Documents
News Articles
Resources
Appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

MoFo Voices »
VCS testifies About VA Claims Fiasco (2/14/08)
House Committee on
Veterans’ Affairs

Masking true costs of war
The National Law Journal

Veterans resolve to continue fight for disabled veterans as VA seeks to have lawsuit thrown out
Press Release

Returning Soldiers Deserve More Than Just Lip Service From Veterans Affairs
Daily Journal
What This Case Is About
Many veterans who have fought in Iraq and/or Afghanistan, as well as those who served in earlier conflicts, are not being given the disability compensation, medical services and care they need. A much higher percentage of these veterans suffer with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (“PTSD”) than veterans of any previous war, due to the multiple tours many are serving, the unrelenting vigilance required by the circumstances, the greater prevalence of brain injuries caused by the types of weaponry in use, among other reasons. Despite this, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (“DVA”) is failing to provide adequate and timely benefits and medical care. This federal lawsuit, on behalf of veterans with pending claims based upon PTSD, regardless of the conflict in which they served, is for declaratory and injunctive relief, based primarily on the due process clause of the Constitution. We will focus on the following issues:

The widespread breakdown of the DVA’s adjudication and health care systems for veterans experiencing PTSD. For example, the application process is too complicated; even veterans with “successful” claims are given ratings that are too low; veterans who are rated as disabled continue to be denied appropriate medical care and ongoing support;
The prolonged administrative delays in processing PTSD claims, at both the regional office and appellate levels. Applications are often bounced up and down through a complicated appeals process. We estimate that the average time for a claim to go through the entire appeals process, from the Regional Office to a petition for certiorari to the Supreme Court, is between twelve and fifteen years;
A variety of statutory and regulatory impediments to a veteran’s ability to collect PTSD compensation. These include the inability to obtain discovery, the absence of subpoena power for documents and witnesses, and the inability to hire a lawyer to help out at the regional office level, among other impediments; and
A pattern and practice of internal DVA abuses and improper rules. These are difficult to detect or prove without discovery.
You are invited to familiarize yourselves with these issues by visiting our Resources, reading the pivotal Court-filed Documents in the case and reading relevant News Articles. We appreciate your interest.

Notice
Oral argument was heard on the appeal of this case on August 12, 2009. The case is now under submission at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
____________________

On July 25, 2008 Plaintiffs Veterans for Common Sense and Veterans United for Truth, Inc. filed a Notice of Appeal of the decision issued by Senior Federal District Court Judge Samuel Conti. In his decision, Judge Conti held that although it is clear to the Court that the VA may need “a complete overhaul” the the power to remedy this crisis lies with the other branches of government.

The importance of this appeal is underscored by the fact that a serious suicide epidemic among veterans continues to exist. Meanwhile, VA continues to turn away suicidal veterans, as shown by the recent case of Lucas Senescall in Spokane Washington. The flood of veterans with mental health problems will continue to increase as the wars go on. This is because, as a recent Army study found, repeat deployments increase the risk of PTSD by 50 percent, above and beyond what we are already seeing from veterans discharged from the first few years of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

In his decision, Judge Conti found that many veterans are suffering, and that the VA is the cause of much of that suffering. For these reasons, Plaintiffs believe they should continue to fight, that their cause is valid, and that Judge Conti was incorrect in holding that the courts are without power to grant veterans a remedy.
How Specialist Town Lost His Benefits
Jon Town has spent the last few years fighting two battles, one against his body, the other against the US Army. Both began in October 2004 in Ramadi, Iraq. He was standing in the doorway of his battalion’s headquarters when a 107-millimeter rocket struck two feet above his head. The impact punched a piano-sized hole in the concrete facade, sparked a huge fireball and tossed the 25-year-old Army specialist to the floor, where he lay blacked out among the rubble.

more…

Press Coverage »
Veterans sue U.S. over “shameful failures” in care
Reuters

Lawsuit says VA mishandled claims; Veterans allege illegal denials and delays for care, disability pay
USA Today

Veterans sue federal gov’t
UPI

Injured Iraq War Veterans Sue VA Head
AP

Veterans Sue for Stress Disorder Benefits
ABA Journal
© 2007-2009 Morrison & Foerster LLP. All rights reserved.

Politics, Veteran Legislative Update

A View From Catholic War Veterans/ Founded in 1935

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~ MORE ~
CATHOLIC WAR VETERANS
OF THE U.S.A.
National Headquarters
441 North Lee Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone (703) 549-3622
Fax (703) 684-5196
www.cwv.org
Press Release
Mr. Jose Garcia
Contact:
National Executive Director
Phone: (512) 560-6091
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2009
CATHOLIC VETERANS CONCERNED ABOUT THE LOSS OF RESOLVE TO WIN THE WAR ON TERROR
ALEXANDRIA, VA: On September 11, 2001 the United States of America was suddenly and savagely attacked by Islamic Terrorists. By committing this act, the terrorists declared war on the United States of America. The United States government responded to the attack by declaring a “War on Terror” and subsequently mobilized not only its own troops, but a broad coalition of troops from our allies to combat the terrorists on their home soil in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the surrounding areas.
It has been over 8 years since the start of combat operations, and according to the most recent official Department of Defense casualty reports, over 4,000 brave service members have been killed in action, and over 35,000 have been wounded in action.
This week, it has been reported that the Commanding General of U.S. Forces operating in Afghanistan and
its surrounds has asked the Pentagon to authorize an additional deployment of between 30,000 to 40,000
new troops to the area. In news reports, General McChrystal has been quoted as saying the reason for the
new request is that, “…failure to gain the initiative and reverse insurgent momentum in the near-term… risks an outcome where defeating the insurgency is no longer possible.”
CATHOLIC VETERANS CONCERNED ABOUT LOSS OF RESOLVE Page 2
~ MORE ~
The Catholic War Veterans of the U.S.A. today wants to remind President Obama as the Commander in Chief of our nation’s military forces that it is his duty to see to the welfare of every service member he deploys, and to provide for them the resources and governmental support necessary to obtain victory against any opposing forces he has set out for them to engage in defense of our nation.
With this in mind, we are very concerned that the current administration seems to have forgotten the reasons we initially responded militarily and declared a War on Terror. We believe that the administration now appears to be risking the lives of our fellow veterans in what has become an unfocused political endeavor, and that our troops are no longer being considered by our government to be operating in a clearly defined state of war.
To ensure that our military forces are used appropriately, we ask President Obama to publicly address the following questions:
1. What is your strategy for achieving total and final victory in the War on Terror?
2. Why is the current administration not making victory in the War on Terror a priority for the American people?
3. What is your plan for ensuring that all deployed troops will have your full and undivided attention, and support, for the missions you have ordered them to undertake?
4. What is your commitment to ensuring that our troops in the field are provided with a limit on return and multiple combat tours?
Mr. President, do not take lightly your decision to put our military in harm’s way. If it is your decision, we expect that you will do everything in your power to achieve victory for them and for the United States of America in the War on Terror.
We applaud our brothers and sisters in uniform for serving our country. In return we ask the American people to hold our government officials accountable to provide the best possible support and care for all of the soldiers, sailors, and airmen that have been, and will be, sent into battle on your behalf.
-End-
CATHOLIC VETERANS CONCERNED ABOUT LOSS OF RESOLVE Page 3
Founded in 1935, the Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America, Inc. is the preeminent national veterans service organization representing the Catholic military veterans of our nation. The CWV is the only Catholic organization to have been granted an official charter by the U.S. Congress. The CWV is a private, non-profit organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service under IRC 501(c) 4.

Politics

Comprehensive Update on Veteran Legislation for Our Readers

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VETERAN LEGISLATION:
Of the 3555 House and 1638 Senate pieces of legislation introduced in the 111th
Congress to date, the following are of interest to the non-active duty veteran
community. Bill titles in green are new additions to this summary. A good
indication on the likelihood a bill of being forwarded to the House or Senate for
passage and subsequently being signed into law by the President is the number
of cosponsors who have signed onto the bill. An alternate way for it to become
law is if it is added as an addendum to another bill such as the annual National
Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and survives the conference committee
assigned to iron out the difference between the House and Senate bills. At
http://thomas.loc.gov you can review a copy of each bill’s text, determine its
current status, the committee it has been assigned to, who your representative is
and his/her phone number, mailing address, or email/website to communicate
with a message or letter of your own making, and if your legislator is a sponsor or
cosponsor of it. To separately determine what bills, amendments your
representative has sponsored, cosponsored, or dropped sponsorship on refer to
http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/d111/sponlst.html. To review a numerical list of all bills
introduced refer to http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/111search.html. The key to
increasing cosponsorship is letting legislators know of their constituent’s views on
issues. Those bills that include a website in red are being pushed by various
veterans groups for passage and by clicking on that website you can forward a
preformatted message to your legislator requesting he/she support the bill.
H.R.147 : Designate a Portion of Tax Payment for Homeless Vets. To amend
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow taxpayers to designate a portion of
their income tax payment to provide assistance to homeless veterans, and for
other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Israel, Steve [NY-2] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (81)
Committees: House Veterans’ Affairs; House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 3/4/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status:
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via

http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12922516&queueid=[capwiz:queue_i

d]
H.R.270 : TRICARE Continuity of Coverage for National Guard and Reserve
Families Act of 2009 to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for
continuity of TRICARE Standard coverage for certain members of the Retired
Reserve. Companion Bill S.731.
Sponsor: Rep Latta, Robert E. [OH-5] (introduced 1/7/2009) Cosponsors (67)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 1/30/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status:
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via

http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12923561&queueid=[capwiz:queue_i

d] or http://www.ngaus.org/content.asp?bid=1805&False&False
S.731 : TRICARE Coverage For “Gray Area” Reservists. A bill to amend title
10, United States Code, to provide for continuity of TRICARE Standard coverage
for certain members of the Retired Reserve. Companion Bill H.R.270
Sponsor: Sen Nelson, E. Benjamin [NE] (introduced 3/26/2009) Cosponsors
(22)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 3/26/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read
twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. ‘
To support this bill and/or contact your Senators send a message via

http://www.ngaus.org/content.asp?bid=1805&False&False

H.R.303 : Retired Pay Restoration Act to amend title 10, United States Code,
to permit additional retired members of the Armed Forces who have a serviceconnected
disability to receive both disability compensation from the Department
of Veterans Affairs for their disability and either retired pay by reason of their
years of military service or Combat-Related Special Compensation and to
eliminate the phase-in period under current law with respect to such concurrent
receipt.
Sponsor: Rep Bilirakis, Gus M. [FL-9] (introduced 1/8/2009) Cosponsors (101)
Committees: House Armed Services; House Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/30/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status:
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel
H.R.811 : Retired Pay Restoration Act to amend title 10, United States Code,
to permit certain retired members of the uniformed services who have a serviceconnected
disability to receive both disability compensation from the Department
of Veterans Affairs for their disability and either retired pay by reason of their
years of military service or Combat-Related Special Compensation. Companion
Bill S.546
Sponsor: Rep Bilirakis, Gus M. [FL-9] (introduced 2/3/2009) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: House Armed Services; House Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/24/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status:
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
S.546 : Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 10, United
States Code, to permit certain retired members of the uniformed services who
have a service-connected disability to receive both disability compensation from
the Department of Veterans Affairs for their disability and either retired pay by
reason of their years of military service of Combat-Related Special
Compensation. Companion Bill H.R.811.
Sponsor: Sen Reid, Harry [NV] (introduced 3/9/2009) Cosponsors (40)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 3/9/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice
and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
To support this bill and/or contact your Senators send a message via

http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12904686&queueid=[capwiz:queue_i

d]
H.R.333 : Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act to amend title 10, United
States Code, to permit retired members of the Armed Forces who have a
service-connected disability rated less than 50 percent to receive concurrent
payment of both retired pay and veterans’ disability compensation, to eliminate
the phase-in period for concurrent receipt, to extend eligibility for concurrent
receipt to chapter 61 disability retirees with less than 20 years of service, and for
other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Marshall, Jim [GA-8] (introduced 1/8/2009) Cosponsors (106)
Committees: House Armed Services; House Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/6/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred
to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via

http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12406456&queueid=[capwiz:queue_i

d] and http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12888756
H.R.403 : Homes for Heroes Act of 2009 to provide housing assistance for very
low-income veterans.
Sponsor: Rep Green, Al [TX-9] (introduced 1/9/2009) Cosponsors (41)
Committees: House Financial Services; House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 6/17/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status:
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
H.R.775 : Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act to repeal the requirement for
reduction of survivor annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan to offset the
receipt of veterans dependency and indemnity compensation.
Sponsor: Rep Ortiz, Solomon P. [TX-27] (introduced 1/28/2009) Cosponsors
(281) Companion Bill S.535
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 2/17/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status:
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/alert/?alertid=12848666&type=CO or

http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12541746

S.535 : SBP DIC Offset Elimination. A bill to amend title 10, United States
Code, to repeal requirement for reduction of survivor annuities under the Survivor
Benefit Plan by veterans’ dependency and indemnity compensation, and for other
purposes. Companion Bill H.775.
Sponsor: Sen Nelson, Bill [FL] (introduced 3/5/2009) Cosponsors (51)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 3/5/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice
and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
To support this bill and/or contact your Senator send a message via

http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/alert/?alertid=12848666&type=CO

H.R.1016 : Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of
2009 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.
Sponsor: Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] (introduced 2/12/2009) Cosponsors (125)
Committees: House Veterans’ Affairs
House Reports: 111-171
Latest Major Action: 8/6/2009 Passed/agreed to in Senate. Status: Passed
Senate in lieu of S.423 with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via

http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12704096

S.423 : Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009.
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize advance appropriations
for certain medical care accounts of the Department of Veterans Affairs by
providing two-fiscal year budget authority, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 2/12/2009) Cosponsors (56)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 8/6/2009 Senate floor actions. Status: Returned to the
Calendar. Calendar No. 101.
To support this bill and/or contact your Senators send a message

http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12703276

H.R.1203 : Federal and Military Retiree Health Care Equity Act to amend the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow Federal civilian and military retirees to
pay health insurance premiums on a pretax basis and to allow a deduction for
TRICARE supplemental premiums. Companion Bill S.491
Sponsor: Rep Van Hollen, Chris [MD-8] (introduced 2/25/2009) Cosponsors
(189)
Committees: House Ways and Means; House Oversight and Government
Reform; House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 6/26/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status:
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Post Office, and the District
of Columbia.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via

http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12787701&queueid=[capwiz:queue_i

d]
H.R.1211 : Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act 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. Companion Bill S.597
Sponsor: Rep Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie [SD] (introduced 2/26/2009)
Cosponsors (51)
House Reports: 111-165
Latest Major Action: 6/24/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status:
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on
Veterans’ Affairs.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via

http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12833716&queueid=[capwiz:queue_i

d]
S.597 : Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009. A bill to
amend title 38, United States Code, to expand and improve health care services
available to women veterans, especially those serving in operation Iraqi Freedom
and Operation Enduring Freedom, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and
for other purposes. Companion Bill H.R.1211
Sponsor: Sen Murray, Patty [WA] (introduced 3/16/2009) Cosponsors (20)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/16/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read
twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
H.R.1513 : Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2009
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 serviceconnected
disabled veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Kirkpatrick, Ann [AZ-1] (introduced 3/16/2009) Cosponsors (10)
Related bill S.407
Committees: House Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/31/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status:
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on
Veterans’ Affairs.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via

http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=13048376&queueid=[capwiz:queue_i

d]
S.407 : Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2009. A
bill to increase, effective as of December 1, 2009, 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, and for
other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 2/10/2009) Cosponsors (17)
Related bill H.R.1513
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Senate Reports: 111-24
Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 111-37 [GPO: Text, PDF]
H.R.2254 : The Agent Orange Equity Act to amend title 38, United States
Code, to clarify presumptions relating to the exposure of certain veterans who
served in the vicinity of the Republic of Vietnam.
Sponsor: Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] (introduced 5/5/2009) Cosponsors (119)
Committees: House Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/8/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred
to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via

http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=13301656&queueid=[capwiz:queue_i

d]
H.R.2926 : VA Special Care for Vietnam-era & Persian Gulf War Vets
Exposed to Herbicides. To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide, without expiration, hospital care,
medical services, and nursing home care for certain Vietnam-era veterans
exposed to herbicide and veterans of the Persian Gulf War.
Sponsor: Rep Nye, Glenn C., III [VA-2] (introduced 6/17/2009) Cosponsors (5)
Latest Major Action: 7/9/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status:
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
H.R.3200 : America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 to provide
affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health
care spending, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Dingell, John D. [MI-15] (introduced 7/14/2009) Cosponsors (8)
Committees: House Energy and Commerce; House Ways and Means; House
Education and Labor; House Oversight and Government Reform; House Budget
Latest Major Action: 7/31/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status:
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 31 – 28.
S.1518 : Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act of 2009. A bill to amend title
38, United States Code, to furnish hospital care, medical services, and nursing
home care to veterans who were stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina,
while the water was contaminated at Camp Lejeune.
Sponsor: Sen Burr, Richard [NC] (introduced 7/27/2009) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 7/27/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read
twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

Politics

GI Bill Education Benefits in the Slow Lane

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VA Says it has Processed Less than Half of GI Bill Education Benefits

Written by Bob Brewin/ Iraq Veterans of America

September 23, 2009 – The Veterans Affairs Department said on Wednesday that it has processed less than half of the pending education benefits claims veterans are entitled to under the post 9/11 GI bill claims, and veteran groups expressed serious concerns students will not be able to pay their rent next month and colleges will need to wait for tuition payments.

The department has paid more than 61,000 benefits claims totaling $50 million since August, according to a statement. VA also said it processed 503,000 claims totaling $1 billion for other education benefit programs during the same period.

But VA told Nextgov that it still must process another 72,329 claims for post-9/11 GI bill benefits, with 60,071 eligibility determinations and 12,258 enrollment certifications. The department has a total of 172,662 education claims pending, which includes the new GI bill claims as well as other education programs.

VA said since May it has received 277,000 applications from veterans for certificates of eligibility or school enrollment certifications under the new GI bill, which greatly expanded the tuition and housing payments granted to veterans to pay for college under the old GI bill. VA said it has sent certificates to fewer than 200,000 veterans.

The Veterans Benefits Administration, in its latest weekly report, showed it had 268,083 items related to education benefits pending as of Sept. 21, down 11.3 percent from the previous week, but about four times the 64,700 items that were backed up a year ago. VA estimates 20 percent to 25 percent of the pending items are actual claims for education expenses and the remaining items involved other tasks, such as an inquiry about the status of a claim.

As of last week, VA had made 33,000 housing and stipend payments valued at $16 million and issued more than 20,000 payments to schools for tuition and fees for veterans under the post-9/11 GI bill.

The department’s GI bill Web site reported the average processing time for claims — including those under the new bill, the older Montgomery GI bill and other education programs — averages 56 days. VA officials said it takes an average of 35 days to process post-9/11 GI bill claims, but added the processing time increased by an unspecified number of days when the fall semester began at colleges and universities.

“Our top priority is providing our students and schools with accurate and timely benefit payments so veterans can focus all of their energy on studies,” said Patrick Dunne, undersecretary for benefits.

Despite the optimistic report, student veterans groups expressed concern that their checks would not be in the mail in time to cover tuition payments or housing expenses, as outlined in the GI bill.

Brian Hawthorne, who served two tours as an Army medic in Iraq and is the legislative director of Student Veterans of America, said he found it “heartening to see that the money is moving, and the extraordinary efforts that the VA is undertaking to ensure that student veterans are being paid.”

But Hawthorne, a senior at The George Washington University, also expressed concern that some schools and veterans will not receive payments from VA in a timely fashion. Under the GI bill, VA pays tuition and fees to colleges and universities directly and sends a housing allowance and stipend, which runs about $1,900 a month in the District of Columbia, to veterans. The first housing checks for the fall semester are due next month. Summer school students should have received housing allowance checks for August in September.

Student Veterans of America continues to receive reports from veterans that they have not received payments for housing and from schools that they haven’t received checks for tuition. “This is obviously a serious problem, but can also be expected with a new program,” Hawthorne said.

Joe Davis, a spokesman for the Veterans for Foreign Wars, also continues to be concerned for veterans who have yet to receive their checks. “The VA is working very hard to meet the anticipated avalanche of claims, but the increase in claims processing time is having a negative impact on student veterans,” he said.

Rep. Steve Buyer, R-Ind., and the ranking member of the House VA Committee, said in a statement, “The VA should have asked Congress for additional resources to ensure veterans and schools received their payments in a timely manner. Not once during the five oversight hearings held by the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee since passage of the new program did VA mention needing additional resources for implementation.”

The Student Veterans of America has urged schools that have not received payments to allow veterans to remain in class. If veterans do not receive their housing allowance next month, the group has asked schools “to make emergency loans available so as to not disrupt the veteran’s lifestyle, with the understanding that the full faith and credit of the U.S. government is behind these payments, and that the money will arrive,” Hawthorne said.

While schools can afford to be more accommodating to student veterans, payments to “landlords, grocers, gas stations and other essential cost-of-living expenses don’t stop,” Davis said. “The VA has to do a better job of expediting claims processing and pa

Politics

Hot Scoop About Camp Lejeune

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This week there will be a two part show on the Camp Lejeune contamination issue. It will be aired on the Campbell Brown show on CNN. The show is on Sept 24 and Sept 25 at 8 pm- 9 pm est. If you were stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1957- 1985 this show is a must see. Pass this information to any Marine or family member you know was stationed there.