LIBERTY BELL CHAPTER 266, VIETNAM
VETERANS OF AMERICA
August 17,
2015, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Since our last Chapter Board Meeting on July 20, 2015, the
following bills and items of concern from a legislative perspective have come,
or are pending, before the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania General Assembly and
the U.S. Congress for action. Any items pending as of the last meeting, but
that had no action taken on them since the last meeting, are not included in
this report, unless they were inadvertently omitted from the previous report.
PA GENERAL ASSEMBLY SCHEDULE:
For the PA Senate Calendar, see:
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/SC/SC/0/RC/CAL.HTM
For the PA House of Representatives Calendars, see:
and
PA HOUSE VETERANS AFFAIRS &
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE HEARINGS:
PA SENATE VETERANS AFFAIRS &
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE
FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE HEARINGS:
U.S. House Committee on Veterans
Affairs
Sep 1, 2015 - Realizing Quality Rural Care through
Appropriate Staffing and Improved Choice. Location: Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Jul 29, 2015 - Markup of H.R. 3106, H.R. 2915, H.R.
2360, H.R. 1338, H.R. 1384, H.R. 677, H.R. 3016- POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Jul 22, 2015 - to Receive the Secretary’s Testimony
regarding the Pending VA Health Care Budget Shortfall and System Shutdown
Jul 22, 2015 - Markup of H.R. 272, H.R. 359, H.R. 421,
H.R. 423,H.R. 1862, H.R. 2464, H.R. 2915, H.R. 3016, and H.R. 3106
Jul 21, 2015 - Lack of Oversight of Interagency
Agreements - VA Procurement Failures Continued
U.S. Senate Veterans Affairs
Committee Hearings
08/25/15 - Exploring the Veterans Choice Program's
Problems in Alaska. Location: AFC Church, 16620 Brooks Loop, Eagle River,
Alaska.
08/21/15 - The Veterans Choice Program: Are Problems
in Georgia Indicative of a National Problem?
Location: University of North Georgia, 3820 Mundy Mill Road,
Gainesville, Georgia -- Continuing Education/Performing Arts Building, Room 108.
07/29/15 - Ending Veteran Homelessness. Location: Russell
Senate Office Building SR-418.
COMMONWEALTH OF PA
HOUSE BILLS 2015-2016 Session:
HB 62 - An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of
the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in grants to fire companies and
volunteer services, further providing for award of grants. Last Action: Removed from table, July 21,
2015. Second consideration, July 22,
2015. Re-committed to APPROPRIATIONS,
July 22, 2015. (Remarks see House
Journal Page ), July 22, 2015.
HB 421 - An Act amending the act of June 27, 2006 (1st
Sp.Sess., P.L.1873, No.1), known as the Taxpayer Relief Act, in senior citizens
property tax and rent rebate assistance, further providing for
definitions. Last Action: PN 0456 Referred to FINANCE, Feb. 9, 2015. Reported as
committed from FINANCE, April 21, 2015.
First consideration, April 21, 2015.
Laid on the table, April 21, 2015.
Removed from table, April 22, 2015. Laid on the table, June 15,
2015. Removed from table, June 15, 2015.
Laid on the table, July 21, 2015.
Removed from table, July 21, 2015.
HB 1087 - An Act amending the act of June 12, 1931
(P.L.575, No.200), entitled "An act providing for joint action by
Pennsylvania and New Jersey in the development of the ports on the lower
Delaware River, and the improvement of the facilities for transportation across
the river; authorizing the Governor, for these purposes, to enter into an
agreement with New Jersey; creating The Delaware River Joint Commission and
specifying the powers and duties thereof, including the power to finance
projects by the issuance of revenue bonds; transferring to the new commission
all the powers of the Delaware River Bridge Joint Commission; and making an
appropriation," providing for gubernatorial veto. Last
Action: Re-reported as committed from RULES, July 21, 2015. Second
consideration, July 22, 2015.
Re-committed to APPROPRIATIONS, July 22, 2015.
HB 1131 - An Act making appropriations from the
Professional Licensure Augmentation Account and from restricted revenue
accounts within the General Fund to the Department of State for use by the
Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs in support of the professional
licensure boards assigned thereto. Last Action: Re-committed to RULES,
July 21, 2015.
HB 1134 - An Act making appropriations from a restricted
revenue account within the General Fund and from Federal augmentation funds to
the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission for the fiscal year July 1, 2015, to
June 30, 2016. Last Action: Re-committed
to RULES, July 21, 2015.
HB 1136 - An Act making an appropriation from a
restricted revenue account within the General Fund to the Office of Consumer
Advocate in the Office of Attorney General.
Last Action: Re-committed to
RULES, July 21, 2015.
HB 1138 - An Act making an appropriation from the State
Employees' Retirement Fund to provide for expenses of the State Employees'
Retirement Board for the fiscal year July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016, and for the
payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year
ending June 30, 2015. Last Action: Re-committed
to RULES, July 21, 2015.
HB 1210 - An Act amending the act of November 6, 1987
(P.L.381, No.79), known as the Older Adults Protective Services Act, in
preliminary provisions, further providing for the definition of
"exploitation." Last Action: PN 1584 Referred to AGING
AND OLDER ADULT SERVICES, May 13, 2015. Reported as committed from AGING AND
OLDER ADULT SERVICES, June 24, 2015. First consideration, June 24, 2015. Re-committed to RULES, June 24, 2015.
Re-reported as committed from RULES, July 21, 2015. Second consideration, July
21, 2015. Re-committed to APPROPRIATIONS,
July 21, 2015. Re-reported as committed from APPROPRIATIONS, July 22, 2015.
Third consideration and final passage,
July 22, 2015 (175-0). (Remarks see House Journal Page ), July 22, 2015.
HB 1240 - An Act
amending the act of December 19, 1990 (P.L.1200, No.202), known as the
Solicitation of Funds for Charitable Purposes Act, further providing for
definitions, for powers and duties of secretary and for registration of
charitable organizations, financial reports, fees and failure to file;
providing for supplemental financial disclosure and for financial statements
for specific disaster relief solicitations; further providing for registration
of professional fundraising counsel and contracts, for registration of
professional solicitors, contract and disclosure requirements, bonds, records
and books; providing for individual licensure of professional solicitor
officers, employees and agents; further providing for investigation, subpoenas,
injunctions and court orders, for administrative enforcement and penalties and
for criminal penalties; and establishing the Charitable Organization Regulation
Account.
Last Action:
PN 2089 Referred to COMMERCE, Aug. 10, 2015.
HB 1457 - An Act
amending the act of December 19, 1988 (P.L.1262, No.156), known as the Local Option
Small Games of Chance Act, further providing for definitions; and providing for
electronic pull-tabs, electronic pull-tab devices and electronic pull-tab
systems. Last Action: PN 2049 Referred to GAMING OVERSIGHT, July 20, 2015.
HB 1460 - An Act to
provide from the General Fund for the expenses of the Executive and Judicial
Departments, the State Government Support Agencies and the General Assembly of
the Commonwealth, the public debt and the public schools for the fiscal year
July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016, for certain institutions and organizations, and
for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the
fiscal year ending June 30, 2015; to provide appropriations from the State
Lottery Fund, the Tobacco Settlement Fund, the Aviation Restricted Account, the
Hazardous Material Response Fund, The State Stores Fund, the Milk Marketing
Fund, the Home Investment Trust Fund, the Emergency Medical Services Operating
Fund, the Tuition Account Guaranteed Savings Program Fund, the Banking Fund,
the Firearm Records Check Fund, the Ben Franklin Technology Development
Authority Fund, the Oil and Gas Lease Fund, the Home Improvement Account, the
Cigarette Fire Safety and Firefighter Protection Act Enforcement Fund, the
Insurance Regulation and Oversight Fund, the Pennsylvania Racehorse Development
Restricted Receipt Account, the Justice Reinvestment Fund and the Multimodal
Transportation Fund to the Executive Department; to provide appropriations from
the Judicial Computer System Augmentation Account to the Judicial Department
for the fiscal year July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016; to provide appropriations
from the Motor License Fund for the fiscal year July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016,
for the proper operation of several departments of the Commonwealth and the
Pennsylvania State Police authorized to spend Motor License Fund money; to
provide for the appropriation of Federal funds to the Executive Department of
the Commonwealth and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of
the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015; and to provide for the additional
appropriation of Federal and State funds from the General Fund and the State
Lottery Fund for the Executive Department of the Commonwealth for the fiscal
year July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015, and for the payment of bills incurred and
remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015. Last Action: PN 2055 Referred to
APPROPRIATIONS, July 21, 2015. Reported as committed from APPROPRIATIONS, July
22, 2015. First consideration, July 22,
2015. Re-committed to RULES, July 22,
2015 [This appears to replace the bill
vetoed by Governor Wolf]
HB 1466 - An Act amending the act of October 27, 1955
(P.L.744, No.222), known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, further
providing for findings and declaration of policy and for right to freedom from
discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation; and providing
for therapy dogs and public transportation and unlawful discriminatory
practices. Last Action: Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT, July 21, 2015 [House].
HB 1472 - An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in registration of vehicles, providing for
a special license plate for female veterans. Last Action: PN 2073
Referred to TRANSPORTATION, July 22, 2015.
HB 1473 - An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of
the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for the exclusion of
veterans' benefit payments from income for Commonwealth programs. Last
Action: PN 2074 Referred to VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS,
July 22, 2015.
COMMONWEALTH OF PA
HOUSE RESOLUTIONS 2015-2016 Session:
HR 418 - A Resolution recognizing the 25th anniversary of
the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Latest
Major Action: PN 2014 INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE
35, July 1, 2015. Adopted, July 21,
2015 (181-0).
HR 423 A Resolution congratulating Pocono Raceway for its
commitment to our veterans by placing a Chair of Honor within the raceway to
recognize our American POW/MIAs. Latest Major Action: PN 2045 INTRODUCED
AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, July 20, 2015. Adopted, July 22, 2015 (183-0).
HR 424 - A Resolution
memorializing Congress to examine existing Federal laws relating to sober
living arrangements. Latest Major Action: PN 2046 Referred
to HUMAN SERVICES, July 20, 2015.
HR 428 - A Resolution
designating the month of October 2015 as "Bullying Prevention Awareness
Month" in Pennsylvania to help Pennsylvanians work to recognize bullying,
stop bullying and gain the tools needed to appropriately deal with situations
involving bullies. Latest Major Action: PN 2065 INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL
RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, July 22, 2015.
HR 429 - A Resolution
recognizing the week of August 1 through August 7, 2015, as "World
Breastfeeding Week" in Pennsylvania.
Latest Major Action: PN 2064
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, July 22, 2015. Adopted, July 22, 2015 (182-0).
HR 430 - A Resolution
urging the Office of Administration to adopt a "Ban the Box" policy
relating to certain State agency employment applications. Latest
Major Action: PN 2066 Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT, July 22, 2015.
HR 436 - A Resolution commemorating September 2, 2015, as
"V-J Day" in Pennsylvania. Latest Major Action: PN 2085 INTRODUCED
AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, Aug. 10, 2015.
HR 437 - A Resolution urging the Congress of the United
States and the Department of Defense to expeditiously address the safety and
protection of United States Armed Forces personnel within the borders of the
United States. Latest Major Action: PN 2086 Referred to VETERANS AFFAIRS AND
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, Aug. 10, 2015.
PN 2100 Corrective Reprint, Printer's No. 2100, Aug. 10, 2015.
COMMONWEALTH OF PA SENATE BILLS 2015-2016 Session:
SB 815 - An Act making an appropriation from a restricted
revenue account within the General Fund to the Office of Consumer Advocate in
the Office of Attorney General. Last Action: Reported as committed from
APPROPRIATIONS, June 22, 2015. First
consideration, June 22, 2015. Second
consideration, June 24, 2015. Third consideration
and final passage, June 25, 2015
(49-0). In the House - Third consideration and final passage, June 30, 2015 (193-2). Signed in Senate, June 30, 2015. Signed in House, June 30, 2015. Presented to the Governor, June 30, 2015.
Approved by the
Governor, July 2, 2015. Act No. 3A.
COMMONWEALTH OF PA
SENATE RESOLUTIONS 2015-2016 Session:
None
FEDERAL HOUSE
RESOLUTIONS/AMENDMENTS 114th Congress:
None.
FEDERAL HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES LEGISLATION 114th Congress:
H.R.91 : VA ID
Cards. A bill to amend title 38, United
States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to issue, upon
request, veteran identification cards to certain veterans. Latest
Major Action: 6/22/2015 Hearing held. [See: https://buchanan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/momentum-builds-buchanan-s-vets-id-card-act
]
H.R.272 : MOH
Recipient VA Enrollment Priority. A bill
to amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the priority for enrollment
of medal of honor recipients in the health care system of the Department of
Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 7/14/2015:
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
H.R.303 : Retired Pay Restoration Act. Latest Title: To amend title 10, United
States Code, to permit additional retired members of the Armed Forces 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 or combat-related special
compensation. Latest Major Action: 6/24/2015 Hearings held. [NAUS supports Rep. Gus Bilirakis’s
introduction of this bill.] [MOAA supports this bill.]
H.R.353 : Veterans' Access to Hearing Health Act of
2015. A bill to amend title 38, United
States Code, to include licensed hearing aid specialists as eligible for
appointment in the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans
Affairs, and for other purposes. Latest Major Action: 7/14/2015:
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
H.R.359 : Veterans
Dog Training Therapy Act. A bill to
direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program on dog
training therapy. Latest Major Action: 7/14/2015: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
H.R.421 : Classified Veterans Access to Care Act. A bill to amend title 38, United States
Code, to improve the mental health treatment provided by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to veterans who served in classified missions. Latest
Major Action: 7/14/2015: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
H.R.423 : Latest Title: Newborn Care Improvement Act. Latest
Major Action: 7/14/2015: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
H.R.800 : VA
Alternative Appeals Process Pilot Program.
A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot
program to provide veterans the option of using an alternative appeals process
to more quickly determine claims for disability compensation. [The bill would authorize the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to carry out a five-year pilot program, creating an alternate
appeals option for appellants. It would provide appellants with an option to
have their appeals sent directly to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA)
bypassing some Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA)appeal processing
procedures. This pilot could save veterans, their dependents and survivors
roughly 1,000 days of appeal processing.
H.R. 800 allows appellants to supply any additional evidence and
supporting documents when filing their Notice of Disagreement to start their
appeal for BVA review. Evidence submitted after voluntarily opting into the
program would result in discontinuance of the program and the appellant would
revert back to the standard appeal process. If BVA procures any additional
evidence, an appellant (and/or the appellant's representative) would receive
copies of this evidence and be given time to respond with additional evidence. DAV supports this bill, with several
recommended changes, which the sponsor of the legislation is in agreement,
including: •Establish comprehensive VBA reporting requirements to evaluate the
pilot program; •Preserve and strengthen the Decision Review Officer review
option; and •Ensure appellants receive proper and adequate information to make
a well informed decision before making a voluntary election to entry this
pilot.] Latest Major Action: 7/9/2015 Markup of bill.
H.R.1302 : VARO
Deadlines for Certification of Certain Forms.
A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a
deadline for the certification of certain forms by regional offices of the
Department of Veterans Affairs. Latest Major Action: 6/24/2015 Hearings
held. 7/9/2015 Markup of bill.
H.R.1338 : VA Study
on Unclaimed Vet Remains. A bill to
require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on matters
relating to the burial of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries,
and for other purposes. Related
Bills: S.695. Latest Major Action: 6/24/2015 Hearings held. 7/9/2015 Markup of
bill.
H.R.1356 : Women Veterans Access to Quality Care Act of
2015. A bill to improve the provision of
health care for women veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for
other purposes. Latest Major Action: 7/14/2015: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
H.R.1379 : Authorize
BVA to Develop Appeal Case Evidence. A
bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Board of Veterans'
Appeals to develop evidence in appeal cases, and for other purposes. Latest
Major Action: 7/9/2015 Markup of bill.
H.R.1380 : Veteran
Status Medallion Eligibility. A bill to
amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the eligibility for a medallion
furnished by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to signify the veteran status of
a deceased individual. Latest Major Action: 6/24/2015 Hearings
held. 7/9/2015 Markup of bill.
H.R.1384 : Honor America's Guard-Reserve Retirees Act. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code,
to recognize the service in the reserve components of certain persons by
honoring them with status as veterans under law. Latest
Major Action: 6/24/2015 Hearings held. 7/9/2015 Markup of bill. [MOAA
supports this bill.]
H.R.1688 : Expand VA
Choice Act Care to Include A bill to
amend the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to designate
20 graduate medical education residency positions specifically for the study of
optometry. Latest Major Action: 7/14/2015: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
H.R.1862 : VA
Outreach on Emergency Medical Care Delayed Payments. A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to conduct outreach to veterans regarding the effect of delayed
payments of claims for emergency medical care furnished by non-Department of
Veterans Affairs medical providers by the Chief Business Office and to direct
the Secretary to submit to Congress an annual report regarding such delayed
payments. Latest Major Action: 7/14/2015: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
H.R.1994 : 2015 VA
Accountability Act. A bill to amend
title 38, United States Code, to provide for the removal or demotion of
employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs based on performance or
misconduct, and for other purposes. Latest Major Action: 6/25/2015:
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. 6/25/2015: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full
Committee in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote. 7/15/2015: Committee Consideration and
Mark-up Session Held. 7/15/2015: Ordered
to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote. 7/29/2015 Passed House. [See: http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2015/04/new-bill-would-give-va-secretary-sweeping-authority-fire-bad-employees/110986/
H.R.2001 : Latest Title: Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection
Act. Latest Major Action: 6/24/2015 Hearings held.
H.R.2214 : Disabled Veterans' Access to Medical Exams
Improvement Act. A bill to improve the
authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into contracts with
private physicians to conduct medical disability examinations. Latest
Major Action: 6/24/2015 Hearings held.
7/9/2015 Markup of bill.
H.R.2256 : Latest Title: Veterans Information Modernization
Act . VA Hospital Care, Medical
Services, and Nursing Home Care Annual Reports.
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to submit an annual report on the Veterans Health
Administration and the furnishing of hospital care, medical services, and
nursing home care by the Department of Veterans Affairs. A bill to expand homeless benefits to
veterans fleeing domestic abuse, evaluate the efficacy of VA mental health
care, and require VA to properly track and document biological implants. This
bill also includes a provision that would require VA to round down any cost-of-
living increases to the Montgomery GI Bill and the Survivors’ and Dependents’
Educational Assistance program, a provision the VFW opposes. Latest
Major Action: 7/7/2015 Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. H. Rept. 114-191. 7/21/2015 Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to
suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays:
(2/3 required): 408 - 0 (Roll no. 449).
7/22/2015 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate
and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. House Reports: 114-191
H.R.2464 : Improve VA Secretary Accountability to VA OIG. A
bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the accountability of
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the Inspector General of the Department of
Veterans Affairs. Latest Major Action: 7/14/2015: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
H.R.2605 : Veterans Fiduciary Reform Act of 2015. A bill to
amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the supervision of fiduciaries
of veterans under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Latest Major Action: 6/24/2015 Hearings
held. 7/9/2015 Markup of bill.
H.R.2691 : Veterans' Survivors Claims Processing Automation
Act of 2015. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to adjudicate and pay survivor's benefits without
requiring the filing of a formal claim, and for other purposes. Related Bills: S.1451. Latest
Major Action: 6/9/2015 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the
House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. 6/24/2015 Hearings held. 7/9/2015 Markup
of bill.
H.R.2706 : Veterans National Remembrance Act. A bill to
amend title 38, United States Code, to provide priority for the establishment
of new national cemeteries by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other
purposes. Latest Major Action: 6/9/2015 Referred to House committee. Status:
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. 6/24/2015 Hearings held.
H.R.2914 : Latest Title: Build a Better VA Act. Latest
Major Action: 6/25/2015: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. 7/13/2015: Referred to the
Subcommittee on Health. 7/14/2015 House
committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
H.R.2915 : Female
Veteran Suicide Prevention Act. A bill to
amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
to identify mental health care and suicide prevention programs and metrics that
are effective in treating women veterans as part of the evaluation of such
programs by the Secretary. Latest Major Action: 7/14/2015 Subcommittee Hearings Held.
H.R.3016 : VA Podiatrist
Role Clarification. A bill to amend
title 38, United States Code, to clarify the role of podiatrists in the
Department of Veterans Affairs. Latest Major Action: 7/14/2015
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
H.R.3040 : DoD/VA Unofficial
Info Use Guidelines. A bill to require
the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs, to develop guidelines regarding the use by the Secretaries of the
military departments and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of unofficial
sources of information to determine the eligibility of a member or former
member of the Armed Forces for benefits and decorations when the member's
service records are incomplete because of damage to the records, including
records damaged by a 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St.
Louis, Missouri. Latest Major Action: 7/17/2015 Referred to House subcommittee.
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial
Affairs.
H.R.3068 : Restore
Honor to Service Members Act. A bill to
direct the Secretary of Defense to review the discharge characterization of
former members of the Armed Forces who were discharged by reason of the sexual
orientation of the member, and for other purposes. Related Bills: S.1766. Latest
Major Action: 7/15/2015 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to
the House Committee on Armed Services.
H.R.3101 : POW
Accountability Act. A bill to direct the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to review the list of veterans designated as
former prisoners of war to identify discrepancies, and for other purposes. Latest
Major Action: 7/16/2015 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to
the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
H.R.3113 : Empowering
Our Veterans Act of 2015. A bill to
prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from obligating or expending funds
for alternative energy generation projects unless specifically authorized by
law, and for other purposes. Latest Major Action: 7/16/2015 Referred
to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and
in addition to the Committee on Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as
fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
H.R.3122 : VALOR Act
of 2015. A bill to amend title 38,
United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into a
contract with a non-government entity for the conduct of biannual audits of
Department of Veterans Affairs health care functions, and for other
purposes. Latest Major Action: 7/21/2015 Referred to House committee. Status:
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
H.R.3183 : Veterans
Health Care Freedom Act. A bill to to
amend the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to expand and
make permanent the Veterans Choice Program, and for other purposes. Latest
Major Action: 7/23/2015 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to
the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
H.R.3200 : VA
Flexibility in Appropriated Funds Usage.
A bill to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to transfer
unobligated amounts previously made available to the Department of Veterans
Affairs to the medical accounts of the Department to improve the furnishing of
health care to veterans. Latest Major
Action: 7/23/2015 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on
Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction
of the committee concerned.
H.R.3216 : VET
Act. A bill to amend title 38, United
States Code, to clarify the emergency hospital care furnished by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to certain veterans. Latest Major Action: 7/27/2015 Referred
to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
H.R.3234 : Failing VA
Medical Center Recovery Act. A bill to
amend title 38, United States Code, to establish within the Department of
Veterans Affairs an Office of Failing Medical Center Recovery, and for other
purposes. Latest Major Action: 7/28/2015 Referred to House committee. Status:
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
H.R.3236 : Latest
Title: Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act
of 2015. Related Bills: H.RES.388. Latest
Major Action: 7/28/2015 Introduced
in House. 7/29/2015 Passed/agreed to in
House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 385 - 34, 1 Present (Roll no.
486). 7/30/2015 Passed/agreed to in
Senate: Received in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time,
and passed (under the order of 7/29/15, having achieved 60 votes in the
affirmative) without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 91 - 4. Record Vote Number:
261. 7/31/2015 Presented to President.
7/31/2015 Signed by President. 7/31/2015 Became Public Law No:
114-041 [Text, PDF].
H.R.3246 : Veterans
Choice Funds Use. A bill to provide for
the temporary use of Veterans Choice Funds for certain programs, and for other
purposes. Latest Major Action: 7/28/2015 Referred to House committee. Status:
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the
Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
H.R.3278 : Unclaimed
Deceased Vet Internment. A bill to amend
title 38, United States Code, to ensure that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
is informed of the interment of unclaimed deceased veterans, and for other
purposes. Latest Major Action: 7/29/2015 Referred to House committee. Status:
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
H.R.3312 : Veterans
Benefits Network Act. A bill to amend
title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
make grants for establishing coordinated networks of services and resources for
veterans and their families. Latest Major Action: 7/29/2015 Referred
to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
H.R.3365 : Women
Veterans and Families Health Services Act of 2015. A bill to improve the reproductive assistance
provided by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to
severely wounded, ill, or injured members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and
their spouses or partners, and for other purposes. Latest
Major Action: 7/29/2015 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed
Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each
case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of
the committee concerned.
H.R.3373 :
Whistleblower Complaints Review.
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to review certain whistleblower complaints. Latest
Major Action: 7/29/2015 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the
House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
H.R.3374 : Wounded
Warrior Assistance Act of 2015. A bill
to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the payment of childcare
assistance to certain single parents who are participating in a Department of
Veterans Affairs vocational rehabilitation program, and for other purposes. Latest
Major Action: 7/29/2015 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to
the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
H.R.3414 : Veterans Access to Orthotic and Prosthetic Care
Act. A bill to improve the certification
and licensing of employees and medical laboratories of the Department of
Veterans Affairs that furnish prosthetic and orthotic services, and for other
purposes. Latest Major Action: 7/29/2015 Referred to House committee. Status:
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
H.R.3419 : Support
for Student Veterans with Families Act.
A bill to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make grants to
eligible educational institutions to provide child care services on campus. Latest
Major Action: 7/29/2015 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to
the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
H.R.3423 : Agent
Orange Extension Act of 2015. A bill to
amend title 38, United States Code, and the Agent Orange Act of 1991 to extend
the certain authorities of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding
associations between diseases and exposure to dioxin and other chemical
compounds in herbicides. Latest Major Action: 7/29/2015 Referred
to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
** Union Calendar: A separate calendar in the United States
House of Representatives that schedules bills involving money issues. It arose
from the requirement in Article One of the United States Constitution that all
revenue bills originate in the House of Representatives. To meet that
requirement, Rule XIII.
FEDERAL SENATE
RESOLUTIONS/AMENDMENTS 114th Congress: None.
FEDERAL SENATE
BILLS 114th Congress:
S.469 : DoD/VA Vet Reproductive
Assistance. A bill to improve the
reproductive assistance provided by the Department of Defense and the
Department of Veterans Affairs to severely wounded, ill, or injured members of
the Armed Forces, veterans, and their spouses or partners, and for other
purposes. Latest Major Action: 6/22/2015 Hearing held. 6/22/2015 Markup of
bill. [MOAA supports
this bill.]
S.627 : Revoke VA Wait
List Manipulator’s Bonus.
A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to revoke bonuses
paid to employees involved in electronic wait list manipulations, and for other
purposes. Latest Major Action: 6/22/2015 Markup of bill.
S.833 : VA Project FY 2015
Authority. A bill to authorize the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out certain major medical facility
projects for which appropriations were made for fiscal year 2015, and for other
purposes. Related Bills: H.R.1543.
Latest Major Action: 6/22/2015 Markup of
bill.
S.901 :
Latest Title: Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015. A bill to establish in the Department of
Veterans Affairs a national center for research on the diagnosis and treatment
of health conditions of the descendants of veterans exposed to toxic substances
during service in the Armed Forces that are related to that exposure, to
establish an advisory board on such health conditions, and for other
purposes. Related bill: HR 1769. Latest Major Action: 6/22/2015 Hearing held. [Note: The VA is opposed to this bill, so
it will take a ground-swell of support from veterans and their families to get
this passed.] [See: http://www.stripes.com/news/us/bill-calls-for-dod-to-publish-toxic-exposure-evidence-1.341844
] [MOAA supports this bill.]
[TREA strongly supports this
legislation and we urge you to contact your Senators and Representative and ask
them to support S.901 in the Senate and H.R. 1769 in the House of
Representatives.]
S.1021 : VA Master's Degree
Degree Grant Program. A bill to require
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to award grants to establish, or expand upon,
master's degree programs in orthotics and prosthetics, and for other
purposes. Related bills: H.R.1904. Latest
Major Action: 6/22/2015
Hearing held.
S.1082 : Removal/Demotion of VA
Employees. A bill to amend title 38,
United States Code, to provide for the removal or demotion of employees of the
Department of Veterans Affairs based on performance or misconduct, and for
other purposes. Related Bills:
H.R.1994. Latest Major Action: 6/22/2015 Hearing held. 6/22/2015 Markup of
bill. 6/24/2015:
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
7/22/2015 Markup of bill.
S.1117 : Authorize VA Secretary to Fire Execs for Misconduct. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code,
to expand the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to remove senior
executives of the Department of Veterans Affairs for performance or misconduct to
include removal of certain other employees of the Department, and for other
purposes. Latest Major Action: 6/22/2015 Hearing held.
S.1203 : 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act. A bill to amend
title 38, United States Code, to improve the processing by the Department of
Veterans Affairs of claims for benefits under laws administered by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Latest
Major Action: 6/22/2015 Markup of bill. 7/22/2015 Markup of bill.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via
MOAA’s Action Network http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/?bill=66031636
[See also: http://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-heller-lead-va-backlog-working-group-in-release-of-new-report-legislation-to-address-claims-delay
]
S.1358 : Hmong Veterans' Service Recognition Act. A bill to amend
title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
inter in national cemeteries individuals who supported the United States in
Laos during the Vietnam War era. Related
Bills: H.R.2327. Latest Major Action: 6/22/2015 Hearing held.
S.1493 : Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015. A bill to provide for an increase, effective December
1, 2015, in 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. Related Bills: H.R.675. Latest
Major Action: 6/22/2015
Markup of bill. 7/22/2015 Markup
of bill.
S.1766 : Restore Honor to
Service Members Act. A bill to direct
the Secretary of Defense to review the discharge characterization of former
members of the Armed Forces who were discharged by reason of the sexual
orientation of the member, and for other purposes. Related Bills: H.R.
3068. Latest Major Action: 7/15/2015 Referred to Senate committee. Status:
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
S.1775 : World War II Merchant
Mariner Service Act. A bill to direct
the Secretary of Homeland Security to accept additional documentation when
considering the application for veterans status of an individual who performed
service as a coastwise merchant seaman during World War II, and for other
purposes. Latest Major Action: 7/15/2015 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
S.1797 : Connect with Veterans
Act of 2015. A bill to require the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a voluntary national directory of
veterans to support outreach to veterans, and for other purposes. Latest
Major Action: 7/16/2015 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice
and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
S.1856 : VA Employee Suspension
and Removal. A bill to amend title 38,
United States Code, to provide for suspension and removal of employees of the
Department of Veterans Affairs for performance or misconduct that is a threat
to public health or safety and to improve accountability of employees of the
Department, and for other purposes. Latest Major Action: 7/23/2015 Referred
to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs.
S.1880 : Latest Title: Helping Veterans Save for Health Care Act of
2015. Related Bills: H.R.2514. Latest
Major Action: 7/28/2015 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice
and referred to the Committee on Finance.
S.1885 : Veteran Housing
Stability Act of 2015. A bill to amend
title 38, United States Code, to improve the provision of assistance and
benefits to veterans who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, or
occupying temporary housing, and for other purposes. Latest
Major Action: 7/29/2015 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice
and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
S.1895 : A bill to amend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act for
purposes of making claims under such Act based on exposure to atmospheric
nuclear testing. Latest Major Action: 7/29/2015 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
S.1991 : A bill to eliminate the sunset date for the Choice Program of
the Department of Veterans Affairs, to expand eligibility for such program, and
for other purposes. Latest Major Action: 8/5/2015 Referred to Senate committee. Status:
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
S.1993 : A bill to establish the 21st Century Conservation Service
Corps to place youth and veterans in the United States in national service
positions to protect, restore, and enhance the great outdoors of the United
States, and for other purposes. Latest Major Action: 8/5/2015 Referred
to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy
and Natural Resources.
Grassroots
lobbying is an effective way to let your Representative and Senators know your
opinion, which is key to increasing co-sponsorship on veteran related bills and
subsequent passage into law.
NOTE: For an electronic version of this document, please
send an email message to the below signed at: lholman@prodigy.net .
Respectfully submitted,
Larry D. Holman
Larry D. Holman, Government Affairs Chairman
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