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Legislation
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Respect
for Fallen Heroes Act
H.R.
5037 (Bill Summary)
Legislation
to prohibit certain demonstrations at cemeteries under the control
of the National Cemetery Administration and at Arlington National
Cemetery, and for other purposes.
Passed
Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent on May 24, 2006.
The
House agreed to suspend the rules and agreed to the Senate amendment
by voice vote on that same day. On May 29, 2006,
the
bill was signed by the President. Public Law 109-228.
H.R.5037
has become Public Law No. 109-228
Title:
To amend titles 38 and 18, United States Code, to prohibit certain
demonstrations at cemeteries under the control of the National
Cemetery Administration and at Arlington National Cemetery, and for
other purposes.
Sponsor:
Rep Rogers, Mike J. [MI-8] (introduced
3/29/2006) Cosponsors (205)
Related
Bills: S.2452, S.2779, S.4042
Latest
Major Action: Became Public Law No: 109-228 [GPO: Text, PDF]
S.1235
became Public Law No. 109-233
Title:
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve and extend
housing, insurance, outreach, and benefits programs provided under
the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to
improve and extend employment programs for veterans under laws
administered by the Secretary of Labor, and for other purposes.
Sponsor:
Sen Craig, Larry E. [ID] (introduced
6/14/2005) Cosponsors (None)
Related
Bills: H.R.2046, H.R.3665, S.151, S.423, S.552, S.917, S.1235,
S.1259, S.1271
Latest
Major Action: Became Public Law No: 109-233 [GPO: Text, PDF]
Senate
Reports: 109-139
S.3421-PUBLIC
LAW 109-461
Veterans
benefits, Health Care, and information Technology Act of 2006
SEC.
502 Department of Veterans Affairs goals for participation by small
businesses owned and controlled by Veterans in procurement contracts
Expressing
the sense of the House of Representatives that Members of the House
should actively engage with employers and the American public at
large to encourage the hiring of members and former members of the
Armed Forces who were wounded in service and are facing a transition
to civilian life.
-------------------------------------------------------------
S.3421
has become Public Law No. 109-461
Title:
To amend title 38, United States Code, to repeal certain limitations
on attorney representation of claimants for benefits under laws
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to expand
eligibility for the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance
Program, to otherwise improve veterans' benefits, memorial affairs,
and healthcare programs, to enhance information security programs of
the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor:
Sen Craig, Larry E. [ID] (introduced
6/6/2006) Cosponsors (1)
Related
Bills: H.R.5815
Latest
Major Action: Became Public Law No: 109-461 [GPO: Text, PDF]
Senate
Reports: 109-328
Stolen
Valor Act of 2005 became Public Law Number 109-437 on December 22, 2006.
H.CON.RES.444
Title:
Extending the appreciation of Congress and the Nation to the
Department of Defense organizations, military departments, and
personnel engaged in the mission to achieve the fullest possible
accounting for all Americans unaccounted for as a result of the
Nation's wars, to the POW/MIA families and veterans who support the
mission, and to foreign nations that assist in the mission.
Sponsor:
Rep Simmons, Rob [CT-2] (introduced
6/29/2006) Cosponsors (18)
Latest
Major Action: 9/14/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status:
Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Sponsor: Rep
Skelton, Ike [MO-4] (introduced
3/15/2007) Cosponsors (28)
Related
Bills: H.RES.274, S.1283
Latest Major
Action: 3/29/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in
the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
House Reports:
110-68 Part 1
Wounded
Warrior bill passes House Veterans Affairs Committee
Committee
News: Press Releases
House
Committee on Veterans Affairs
Bob
Filner, Chairman
335
Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20510
March
29, 2007
Wounded
Warrior Assistance Act Passes House
Bill
Ensures Troops Experience the Seamless Transition They Deserve
Washington,
D.C. – On Wednesday, the House passed H.R. 1538, the Wounded
Warriors Assistance Act of 2007. This legislation is a cooperative
effort between the House Armed Services Committee and the House
Veterans’ Affairs Committee to address the problems facing
wounded service members and to improve their transition from the
military to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“Our
test as a Congress and as a nation is how we are going to respond to
the problems we have learned about in military and veterans’
health care,” said Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs
Committee, Bob Filner (D-CA). “The Wounded Warriors Assistance
Act is a great first step towards providing a ‘seamless
transition’ between active duty and veterans’ status: one
physical evaluation for both exit (from active duty) and entrance (to
VA system) and one system for electronic health care records.”
The
Wounded Warrior Assistance Act provides the people, training, and
oversight mechanisms needed to ensure that our wounded warriors feel
secure that they will always receive committed quality care and that
the system will not fail them. The legislation also sets the stage
for much needed reform of administrative processes that will restore
member confidence in the integrity and efficiency of the disability
evaluation system and begin the process of achieving a truly seamless
transition of service members to the Department of Veterans Affairs programs.
“The
House Armed Services Committee has worked closely with the House
Veterans’ Affairs Committee to develop this legislation, and I
am grateful that this cooperation allowed us to bring this bill
before the House so quickly,” said Chairman of the House Armed
Services Committee, Ike Skelton (D-MO). “House approval of the
Wounded Warriors Assistance Act is an important first step, but more
work will need to be done. In the days ahead, both of our committees
will have the opportunity to take a more comprehensive look at the
challenges service members and their families face during recovery.”
Ongoing Efforts
H.R. 1070
(Bill Summary)
Legislation to
express the sense of the House of Representatives that Members of the
House should actively engage with employers and the American public
at large to encourage the hiring of members and former members of the
Armed Forces who were wounded in service and are facing a transition
to civilian life.
A bill to
encourage the designation of "Hire a Veteran Week."
H. Con.
Res. 125 (Bill Summary)
Expressing
support for the designation and goals of "Hire a Veteran
Week" and encouraging the President to issue a proclamation
supporting these goals.
Passed
the House under suspension of the rules by unanimous voice vote on
July 24, 2006.
On
July 25, 2006, the bill was received by the Senate and referred to
the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Veteran-Owned
Small Business Promotion Act of 2005
H.R. 3082
(Bill Summary)
Legislation to
amend title 38, United States Code, to require that 9 percent of
procurement contracts entered into by the Department of Veterans
Affairs be awarded to small business concerns owned by veterans, and
for other purposes.
Passed
House on July 24, 2006 by unanimous voice
Veterans’
Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006
S. 1235
(Bill Summary)
Legislation to
amend title 38, United States Code, to provide adaptive housing
assistance to disabled veterans residing temporarily in housing owned
by a family member and to make direct housing loans to Native
American veterans; make modifications to the Advisory Committee on
Veterans Employment and Training within the Department of Labor;
provide Life and Health Insurance coverage to certain veterans and
their family members; and for other purposes.
COMMONWEALTH
OF VIRGINIA
Office of
the Governor
Timothy M.
Kaine
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Governor
March 13, 2007
Contact:
Kevin
Hall
Sande Snead/VDOT
Phone:
(804)
225-4260
(804) 225-4491
Cell
Phone: (804)
393-9406
(804) 536-7009
Internet:
www.governor.virginia.gov
www.virginiadot.org
GOVERNOR
KAINE ANNOUNCES FIRST WOUNDED VETERANS NOW AT WORK IN VDOT PROGRAM
~ First of its
kind program places disabled vets in two-year VDOT internships ~
RICHMOND -
Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that two former U.S.
Marines who served during Operation Iraqi Freedom have been hired as
part of the Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) Wounded
Veteran Internship Program. The program is open primarily to veterans
of U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans who cannot or do
not wish to return to jobs they had before serving in these conflicts
may apply for the internships, which can last up to two years.
Purple Heart recipient and former Sergeant Chad C. Ellinger started
his new position as a security and technology specialist in VDOT's
Staunton District on March 5th. Ellinger's responsibilities include
information technology, security, telecommunications, and records
management. Former Corporal Jason L. Weaver began as an engineer
technician in the Fredericksburg District March 7th. Weaver will
assist in all phases of asphalt, soil, aggregate, and concrete
materials testing and sampling.
"We are proud to welcome our returning veterans home from war
with new opportunities in the Commonwealth of Virginia," said
Governor Kaine. "This program is the first of its kind for a
state department of transportation, and serves as a model to other
DOTs throughout the country."
Veterans in the program can compete for permanent VDOT positions,
jobs in the private sector, or other government agencies. VDOT's
Civil Rights Division is promoting the program to businesses and
industries that work with the agency, enabling veterans to have
broader choices in their job search.
Both veterans received numerous medals and awards for their service
in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Ellinger has an associate's degree in
business management from Blue Ridge Community College and volunteers
for a number of local organizations. Weaver graduated from King
George High School in 2001.
Additional information on the Wounded Vet program can be found on at:
www.virginiadot.org/jobs/WoundedVetProgram.asp.
For downloadable photos of the first two veterans hired for this
program, go to www.virginiadot.org/images/vets.jpg.
Legislation
as of May 7th, 2007 that Rolling Thunder Inc.® has worked on
Sent
in by Pam Crane
H.CON.RES.444
Title:
Extending the appreciation of Congress and the Nation to the
Department of Defense organizations, military departments, and
personnel engaged in the mission to achieve the fullest possible
accounting for all Americans unaccounted for as a result of the
Nation's wars, to the POW/MIA families and veterans who support the
mission, and to foreign nations that assist in the mission.
Sponsor: Rep
Simmons, Rob [CT-2] (introduced
6/29/2006) Cosponsors (18)
Latest Major
Action: 9/14/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in
the Senate and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
H.RES.123
Title:
Establishing a Select Committee on POW and MIA Affairs.
Sponsor: Rep
King, Peter T. [NY-3] (introduced
2/17/2005) Cosponsors (28)
Latest Major
Action: 2/17/2005 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to
the House Committee on Rules.
H.R.1598
Title: To
amend title 38, United States Code, to provide improved benefits for
veterans who are former prisoners of war.
Sponsor: Rep
Bilirakis, Michael [FL-9] (introduced
4/13/2005) Cosponsors (20)
Related
Bills: S.1271
Latest Major
Action: 4/25/2005 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to
the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
S.1271
Title: A bill
to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide improved benefits
for veterans who are former prisoners of war.
Sponsor: Sen
Murray, Patty [WA] (introduced
6/20/2005) Cosponsors (None)
Related
Bills: H.R.1598, S.1235
Latest Major
Action: 7/28/2005 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status:
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Provisions of measure incorporated
into measure S. 1235, as amended, ordered to be reported.
S.1235
Title: To
amend title 38, United States Code, to improve and extend housing,
insurance, outreach, and benefits programs provided under the laws
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to improve and
extend employment programs for veterans under laws administered by
the Secretary of Labor, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen
Craig, Larry E. [ID] (introduced
6/14/2005) Cosponsors (None)
Related
Bills: H.R.2046, H.R.3665, S.151, S.423, S.552, S.917, S.1235,
S.1259, S.1271
Latest Major
Action: Became Public Law No: 109-233 [GPO: Text, PDF]
Senate
Reports: 109-139
H.R.1538
Title: To
amend title 10, United States Code, to improve the management of
medical care, personnel actions, and quality of life issues for
members of the Armed Forces who are receiving medical care in an
outpatient status, and for other purposes.
Legislation
as of June 9, 2007 that Rolling Thunder Inc.® has worked on:
Sent
in by Pam Crane
H.CON.RES.125
Title:
Expressing support for the designation and goals of "Hire a
Veteran Week" and encouraging the President to issue a
proclamation supporting those goals.
Sponsor: Rep
Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12] (introduced
4/6/2005) Cosponsors (69)
Latest Major
Action: 7/25/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in
the Senate and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
H.R.3082
Title: To
amend title 38, United States Code, to make improvements to small
business, memorial affairs, education, and employment programs for
veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep
Boozman, John [AR-3] (introduced
6/28/2005) Cosponsors (27)
Latest Major
Action: 7/25/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in
the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
House Reports: 109-592
S.589
Title:
A bill to provide for the transfer of certain Federal property to
the United States Paralympics, Incorporated, a subsidiary of the
United States Olympic Committee.
Sponsor:
Sen Allard, Wayne [CO] (introduced
2/14/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Latest
Major Action: 2/14/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read
twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
H.RES.111
Title:
Establishing a Select Committee on POW and MIA Affairs.
Sponsor:
Rep King, Peter T. [NY-3] (introduced
1/30/2007) Cosponsors (47)
Latest
Major Action: 1/30/2007 Referred to House committee. Status:
Referred to the House Committee on Rules.
H.R.284
Title: To
amend title 5, United States Code, to provide for the issuance of a
prisoner-of-war medal to civilian employees of the Federal Government
who, during war or under wartime conditions, are taken captive by
armed forces or agents of a foreign government hostile to the United States.
Sponsor: Rep
Davis, Geoff [KY-4] (introduced
1/5/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major
Action: 1/5/2007 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
H.R.1197
Title: To
amend title 38, United States Code, to provide improved benefits for
veterans who are former prisoners of war.
Sponsor: Rep
Bilirakis, Gus M. [FL-9] (introduced
2/27/2007) Cosponsors (4)
Related
Bills: S.848
Latest Major
Action: 2/27/2007 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to
the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
S.848
Title: A bill
to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide improved benefits
for veterans who are former prisoners of war.
Sponsor: Sen
Murray, Patty [WA] (introduced
3/13/2007) Cosponsors (2)
Related
Bills: H.R.1197
Latest Major
Action: 3/13/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice
and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Legislation
on PTSD:
H.R.327
Title: To
amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive program
designed to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans.
Sponsor: Rep
Boswell, Leonard L. [IA-3] (introduced
1/9/2007) Cosponsors (152)
Related
Bills: H.R.2219
Latest Major
Action: 3/22/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in
the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
House Reports: 110-55
H.R.1268
Title: To
ensure dignity in care for members of the Armed Forces recovering
from injuries.
Sponsor: Rep
Mitchell, Harry E. [AZ-5] (introduced
3/1/2007) Cosponsors (35)
Related Bills: S.713
Latest Major
Action: 3/28/2007 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to
the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
S.479
Title: A bill
to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans.
Sponsor: Sen
Harkin, Tom [IA] (introduced 2/1/2007)
Cosponsors (26)
Latest Major
Action: 4/25/2007 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status:
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
S.713
Title: A bill
to ensure dignity in care for members of the Armed Forces recovering
from injuries.
Sponsor: Sen
Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced
2/28/2007) Cosponsors (32)
Related
Bills: H.R.1268
Latest Major
Action: 2/28/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice
and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
6. [110th]
S.1196 :
A bill to
improve mental health care for wounded members of the Armed Forces,
and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen
Lieberman, Joseph I. [CT] (introduced
4/24/2007) Cosponsors (5)
Committees:
Senate Armed Services
Latest Major
Action: 4/24/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice
and referred to the Committee on Armed Services
August Update
Legislation
changes as of August 13, 2007
in Bills
that we are working on:
Report
done by TN3 Member Pam Crane
H.R.1538
Title: To
amend title 10, United States Code,
to improve
the management of medical care, personnel actions, and quality of
life issues for members of the Armed Forces who are receiving medical
care in an outpatient status, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep
Skelton, Ike [MO-4] (introduced
3/15/2007) Cosponsors (28)
Related Bills:
H.RES.274, S.1283, S.1606
Latest Major
Action: 7/25/2007 Passed/agreed to in Senate. Status: Passed Senate
with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
House Reports:
110-68 Part 1
Legislation
on PTSD and related issues:
S.479
Title: A
bill to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans.
Sponsor: Sen
Harkin, Tom [IA] (introduced 2/1/2007)
Cosponsors (31)
Related Bills: H.R.327
Latest Major
Action: 7/23/2007 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General
Orders. Calendar No. 279.
Senate
Reports: 110-132
Legislation
as of February 22, 2008
Changes:
H.CON.RES.5
replaces H.CON.RES.125 from the 109th Congress
H.CON.RES.5
Title:
Expressing support for the designation and goals of "Hire a
Veteran Week" and encouraging the President to issue a
proclamation supporting those goals.
Sponsor: Rep
Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12] (introduced 1/4/2007)
Cosponsors (22)
Latest Major
Action: 1/31/2007 Received in the Senate.
H.R.3082
Title: To
amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the time limitation for
the use of entitlement to educational assistance under the Montgomery
GI Bill for certain persons actively pursuing a qualifying
educational degree or certificate.
Sponsor: Rep
Carson, Julia [IN-7] (introduced 7/18/2007)
Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major
Action: 8/14/2007 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to
the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
H.RES.111
Title:
Establishing a Select Committee on POW and MIA Affairs.
Sponsor: Rep
King, Peter T. [NY-3] (introduced 1/30/2007)
Cosponsors (263)
Latest Major
Action: 1/30/2007 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to
the House Committee on Rules.
H.R.327
Title: To
amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive program
designed to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans.
Sponsor: Rep
Boswell, Leonard L. [IA-3] (introduced 1/9/2007)
Cosponsors (152)
Related Bills:
H.R.2219, S.479
Latest Major
Action: Became Public Law No: 110-110 [GPO: Text, PDF]
House Reports: 110-55
H.R.1268
Title: To
ensure dignity in care for members of the Armed Forces recovering
from injuries.
Sponsor: Rep
Mitchell, Harry E. [AZ-5] (introduced 3/1/2007)
Cosponsors (36)
Related Bills: S.713
Latest Major
Action: 3/28/2007 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to
the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
S.479
Title: A bill
to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans.
Sponsor: Sen
Harkin, Tom [IA] (introduced 2/1/2007)
Cosponsors (31)
Related Bills: H.R.327
Latest Major
Action: 7/23/2007 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General
Orders. Calendar No. 279.
Senate
Reports: 110-132
Note: For
further action, see H.R.327, which became Public Law 110-110 on 11/5/2007.
S.713
Title: A bill
to ensure dignity in care for members of the Armed Forces recovering
from injuries.
Sponsor: Sen
Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 2/28/2007)
Cosponsors (34)
Related Bills: H.R.1268
Latest Major
Action: 2/28/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice
and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
S.1196
Title: A bill
to improve mental health care for wounded members of the Armed
Forces, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen
Lieberman, Joseph I. [CT] (introduced 4/24/2007)
Cosponsors (6)
Related Bills: H.R.2612
Latest Major
Action: 4/24/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice
and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Bills:
H.CON.RES.444
Title:
Extending the appreciation of Congress and the Nation to the
Department of Defense organizations, military departments, and
personnel engaged in the mission to achieve the fullest possible
accounting for all Americans unaccounted for as a result of the
Nation's wars, to the POW/MIA families and veterans who support the
mission, and to foreign nations that assist in the mission.
Sponsor: Rep
Simmons, Rob [CT-2] (introduced 6/29/2006)
Cosponsors (18)
Latest Major
Action: 9/14/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in
the Senate and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
H.R.284
Title: To
amend title 5, United States Code, to provide for the issuance of a
prisoner-of-war medal to civilian employees of the Federal Government
who, during war or under wartime conditions, are taken captive by
armed forces or agents of a foreign government hostile to the United
States.
Sponsor: Rep
Davis, Geoff [KY-4] (introduced 1/5/2007)
Cosponsors (2)
Latest Major
Action: 3/20/2007 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to
the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Post Office, and the District
of Columbia.
H.R.1197
Title: To
amend title 38, United States Code, to provide improved benefits for
veterans who are former prisoners of war.
Sponsor: Rep
Bilirakis, Gus M. [FL-9] (introduced 2/27/2007)
Cosponsors (5)
Related Bills: S.848
Latest Major
Action: 3/9/2007 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to
the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
S.589
Title: A bill
to provide for the transfer of certain Federal property to the United
States Paralympics, Incorporated, a subsidiary of the United States
Olympic Committee.
Sponsor: Sen
Allard, Wayne [CO] (introduced 2/14/2007)
Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major
Action: 11/7/2007 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General
Orders. Calendar No. 474.
Senate
Reports: 110-223
S.848
Title: A bill
to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide improved benefits
for veterans who are former prisoners of war.
Sponsor: Sen
Murray, Patty [WA] (introduced 3/13/2007)
Cosponsors (2)
Related Bills: H.R.1197
Latest Major
Action: 3/13/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice
and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Legislation on PTSD:
H.R.1538
Title: To
amend title 10, United States Code, to improve the management of
medical care, personnel actions, and quality of life issues for
members of the Armed Forces who are receiving medical care in an
outpatient status, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep
Skelton, Ike [MO-4] (introduced 3/15/2007)
Cosponsors (28)
Related Bills:
H.RES.274, S.1283, S.1606
Latest Major
Action: 7/25/2007 Passed/agreed to in Senate. Status: Passed Senate
with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
House Reports:
110-68 Part 1
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