VFW WASHINGTON WEEKLY
May 2, 2008

In This Issue
1. GI Bill Call to Action
2. House VA Committee Moves Bills
3. Paid Up Survivor Benefit Plan

1. GI Bill Call to Action: The VFW needs you to urge your senators to support S. 22, and your representatives to support H.R. 5740, so that the VFW goal of creating a new GI Bill for the 21st century becomes a reality. The VFW Washington Office joined other veterans and the leadership of the House and Senate at a press conference Tuesday to urge the passage of S. 22/H.R. 5740, the "Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act." As of this morning, 57 senators are supporting S. 22, which was introduced by Jim Webb (D-VA), and has strong bipartisan support from fellow senators such as Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and John Warner (R-VA). Its companion bill in the House, H.R. 5740, has 266 representatives signed on in support. Introduced by Harry Mitchell (D-AZ), it, also has strong bipartisan support from fellow congressmen such as Bill Young (R-FL) and Chris Smith (R-NJ). America's newest Greatest Generation needs your help to bring educational benefits back in line with current day tuitions. Use this link to contact your members: http://capwiz.com/vfw/dbq/officials/.

2. House VA Committee Moves Bills: The House Veterans Affairs Committee cleared several VFW-supported bills, which now move to the House floor for debate. Some of the key bills include:
HR 3889 requires VA to conduct a 20-year study of veterans participating in VA vocational rehabilitation programs, starting in 2011.
HR 4884 increases from 90 to 100 percent the amount of a veteran's home loan guarantee.
HR 4889 moves educational benefits for the National Guard and Reserves under the authority of the VA, instead of DOD.
HR 3681 authorizes VA to purchase advertising in national media outlets for increased outreach on VA benefits.
HR 3819 supports VFW resolution #649 to require VA to pay for all emergency services a veteran receives at a non-VA facility until the veteran can be transferred to a VA facility.
HR 5729 supports VFW Resolution #640 to provide the full range of healthcare to children born with spina bifida born to certain Vietnam veterans.
HR 5826, the annual COLA bill, will increase the rates of compensation, DIC and clothing to the amount payable under Social Security for 2008.
For a complete listing of bills passed, visit the House VA Committee website at: http://veterans.house.gov/
For more on any of the bill's provisions, type the bill number in the search box at: http://thomas.loc.gov/

3. Paid Up Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP): The Defense Finance and Accounting Service is reviewing all military retiree accounts affected by the new "Paid-Up SBP" law. Under the law, retirees who are at least 70 years old and who have paid at least 360 months of premiums on
Oct. 1 will have their monthly premiums terminated. The change will be reflected in the November 2008 pay statement. If a retiree does not meet the eligibility criteria on Oct. 1, the premiums will op when the retiree has met both criteria -- reached age 70 and paid SBP premiums for 360 months. Eligible retirees will be notified by DFAS via mail regarding the status of their account and premiums.