Veterans

10/19/09 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Zack Space (OH-18) today applauded the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for their decision to fast track the application process for Vietnam veterans suffering from Parkinson’s disease, B-cell leukemia, or ischemic heart disease as a result of exposure to Agent Orange.

“This is the right decision for veterans across Ohio and the nation,” Space said. “It will expand access to medical care for millions of our men and women who served in uniform, and it will provide many of our veterans long overdue care for the conditions contracted as a result of their service. “    » read more »

Says All Facility Reviews Must Be Made Public

October 16, 2009 -- MEDIA, PA -- Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) submitted a bill to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to publish and make publicly available inspections of Veterans Administration (VA) facilities within 30 days after the completion of a review.    » read more »

Shares stories of local veterans, urges action

10/16/09 -- Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Ron Klein (FL-22) submitted testimony to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs describing the state of the new GI Bill in South Florida in order to bring attention to the experiences of local veterans.    » read more »

October 14, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic and Republican Members of Congress joined representatives from Veterans Service Organizations for a photo opportunity on the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act this afternoon in the Speaker’s Office. The legislation, a top priority for Veterans Service Organizations and Congress, authorizes appropriations for Veterans Affairs Department medical care programs one year in advance of the start of each fiscal year, beginning in 2011.

At the event, Speaker Pelosi signed the legislation, which will now be sent to President Obama for his signature. Below are the Speaker’s remarks:    » read more »

Measure Allows Congress Two-Year Budget Authority to Prevent Funding Lapses

October 15, 2009 -- Washington, DC– With the support of Senator Jim Webb (D-VA), the Senate approved a bill on Tuesday evening to secure timely funding for veterans’ health care delivered through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Beginning in fiscal year 2011, the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009 allows Congress two-year budget authority to prevent lapses in funding for services.

In 19 of the past 22 fiscal years, final VA appropriations have been enacted several months late and have frequently required supplemental appropriations to sustain VA health care.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2009 – The Veterans Affairs Department continues its efforts to provide the best support possible to the nation’s military veterans, VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki told a House committee here today.

“We have been busy putting into place the foundation for our pursuit of the president’s two goals for this department: transform VA into a 21st-century organization, and ensure that we provide timely access to benefits and high quality care to our veterans over their lifetimes -- from the day they first take their oaths of allegiance until the day they are laid to rest,” Shinseki said in his written statement provided to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.    » read more »

10/14/09 -- Washington, DC – Just days after meeting with local veterans who have been struggling to obtain benefits under the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, Congressman Glenn Nye (VA-02) is asking for answers from Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki.

At a hearing of the House Veterans Affairs Committee on Wednesday morning, Secretary Shinseki told Congressman Nye and others that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) had anticipated that there would be delays in administering the tuition benefit program, but that they had underestimated the magnitude of the problem.    » read more »

Historic Bill will Provide Advanced Appropriations for the VA

October 14, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Legislation co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. John Hall (D-Dover) that will provide advanced appropriations for veterans' health care for the first time in history is on its way to being signed into law by President Obama. H.R. 1016, the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, provides funding one year in advance for veterans medical programs.

The legislation, which Congressman Hall is an original co-sponsor of, passed the House in July. Yesterday, the Senate passed a final version of the legislation. Historically, funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been late in reaching its many critical programs.    » read more »

10/13/09 -- Washington, DC – Congressman Glenn Nye (VA-02) today applauded the announcement that Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki has decided to establish a service-connection for Vietnam veterans with Parkinson’s disease, hairy-cell leukemia or ischemic heart disease. Veterans with these conditions, along with twelve other previously-recognized diseases, will no longer have to prove an association between their illnesses and their military service.    » read more »

Bipartisan Bill Will Modify Homebuyer Tax Credit for Overseas Military Personnel

October 8, 2009 -- (Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24) voted in favor of the Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act (H.R. 3590), which will make changes to home-buying provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to benefit active-duty servicemen and women currently, or soon to be, deployed overseas. The bipartisan legislation passed by a vote of 416-0.    » read more »

10/13/2009 -- WASHINGTON – Congressman Parker Griffith today announced extended benefits to more veterans that are suffering illnesses due to exposure to chemicals during their service to our country. Vets who suffer from hairy cell leukemia, Parkinson’s disease and ischemic heart disease will now receive expanded benefits as a result of the recent decision by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki to streamline the application process for benefits.

“When it comes to taking care of our troops and vets, we must cast as wide a net as possible,” Griffith said. “As we approach Veterans Day and celebrate the constant sacrifice our soldiers endure, it is essential that they have access to every benefit that we have promised them.”    » read more »

Oct 13 2009 -- The U.S. House of Representatives passed two important bills Wednesday to help veterans and service members, including legislation cosponsored by Congressman Gerry Connolly to ensure reliable and timely funding to better anticipate and meet the demand for high quality medical care for our veterans.    » read more »

October 13, 2009 -- (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Jon Tester, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, today released the following statement in response to the Veterans’ Administration’s decision to allow Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange to file for service-connected disability benefits and medical care if they are now suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, B-cell (“hairy cell”) leukemia or ischemic heart disease:

“I thank the Secretary for making this important decision. It’s another significant step in the right direction. And it gives many folks who served honorably during the Vietnam War overdue recognition that their service and sacrifice is honored and appreciated by all of us.    » read more »

October 8, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. — Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement this afternoon after House passage of two key veterans’ bills: the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act and Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act.

“With today’s vote, the House passed the number one legislative priority for national veterans groups to make sure that our veterans get the benefits they have earned. By authorizing Congress to approve investments in medical care for our veterans one year in advance, we are ensuring sufficient, timely, and predictable funding to care for those who have worn our nation’s uniform. And today we also passed legislation that make changes to our tax code to help our military families buy and sell their homes.    » read more »

10.9.09 -- WASHINGTON D.C. - The following two bills overwhelmingly passed the US House of Representatives yesterday with bipartisan support.

First, the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act (H.R. 1016) ensures sufficient and predictable veterans funding by authorizing Congress to approve investments in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical care one year in advance. This will provide time for the VA to plan how to deliver the best care to all veterans.    » read more »