Veterans Legislative Update
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 Dear jay, Our nation just celebrated Memorial Day to honor those who have given so much in service to our nation. I'm privileged to represent thousands of veterans as well as those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. I want to give you an important update on legislation I voted for that benefits military personnel and veterans. I voted for and the House passed the most comprehensive update to the GI Bill on May 15, 2008. The GI Bill has been heralded as one of the most successful national efforts in the history of our nation, however it is over 54 years old and has not kept up with rising tuition costs. According to a recent Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) survey, 18% of the veterans recently back from tours of duty are unemployed. Of those employed since leaving the military, 25% earn less than $21,840 a year. The survey also demonstrated that only 48.4% of the respondents took advantage of the GI Bill and concluded that receiving the benefits of the current GI Bill were not a strong predictor of successful employment outcomes. This survey clearly demonstrates the need for this new GI Bill. The update provides veterans with a maximum educational benefit equal to the highest tuition rate of a public college or university in their state, as well as a monthly stipend for housing. It also establishes a new program in which private educational institutions would make financial contributions toward veteran's tuition, and the federal government would match those contributions. I will work to ensure that these reforms are enacted. In addition to GI Bill revisions the House passed the following legislation: On May 21, 2008 the House passed the Let Our Veterans Rest in Peace Act, H.R. 3480. This bill requires the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review, and, if necessary, increase penalties for the desecration of, theft of, or trafficking in, veterans' grave markers. I voted for and the House passed the Heroes Earning Assistance & Relief Tax Act, H.R. 6081 that includes several tax provisions that benefit military personnel and veterans. The Veterans Benefit Awareness Act, H.R. 3681 was passed on May 20, 2008. It permits the Veterans Affairs (VA) to advertise and promote awareness of VA benefits, including programs to assist homeless veterans. On May 21, 2008, I voted for and the House passed the Veterans Emergency Care Fairness Act, H.R. 3819 which requires the VA to pay for veterans' emergency treatment at non-VA hospitals until they can actually be transferred to a VA or other federal facility. Under current law, the VA only pays for treatment until a veteran's condition has stabilized to the point where they could be transferred, regardless of whether there is a VA hospital available. If a veteran paid out-of-pocket for care at a non-VA hospital while waiting to be transferred, VA would be required to reimburse the veteran. The Justin Bailey Veterans Substance Use Disorders Prevention & Treatment Act, H.R. 5554 passed the House on May 20, 2008. It mandates the VA to provide the full continuum of care for substance abuse disorder at every VA medical center. The House passed the Spina Bifida Health Care Program Expansion Act, H.R. 5729 which directs the VA to expand health care coverage to children of veterans born with spina bifida. I voted for the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act, H.R. 5826 which passed the House on May 21, 2008. It would provide an increase in the rate of compensation for disabled veterans and in the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for their families. The VA Medical Facility Authorization & Lease Act, H.R. 5856 includes $3.3 billion for major VA constructions projects including $54 million for structural corrections to buildings to prevent earthquakes damages for the VA in Palo Alto. I voted for this legislation and it passed the House on May 21, 2008. Our office works with constituents every day to resolve problems veterans have with the VA, the National Personnel Records Center, TRICARE, and other federal programs that assist veterans and the Armed Forces. We've helped thousands of constituents with their questions and problems and made important breakthroughs for them. We set high standards for ourselves to do literally everything we possibly can, so if you encounter problems with a federal agency call my office and we'll do everything we can to help you. If you have any other questions or comments, let me hear from you. I value what my constituents say to me because I need your thoughts and benefit from your ideas. www.eshoo.house.gov. Sincerely,  Anna G. Eshoo Member of Congress |
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posted by jay ca-house-election 985-320-6006 at 9:58 AM
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