Veteran House Legislation
28 February 08
Of the 5508House bills introduced in the
110th Congress to date, following are those of interest to the non-active duty veteran
community. By clicking on the bill number you can access the actual legislative
language of the bill and see if your representative has signed on as a
cosponsor. Support of these bills by other legislators is critical if they are
ever going to move through the legislative process for a floor vote to become
law. A good indication on that likelihood
is the number of cosponsors who have signed onto the bill. A cosponsor is a
member of Congress who has joined one or more members in his/her chamber (i.e.
House or Senate) to sponsor a bill or amendment. The member who introduces the
bill is considered the sponsor. Members
subsequently signing on are called cosponsors. Any number of members may
cosponsor a bill in the House or Senate. At http://thomas.loc.gov
you can also review a copy of each bill, determine its current status, the
committee it has been assigned to, and if your legislator is a sponsor or
cosponsor of it. To determine what
bills, amendments your representative has sponsored, cosponsored, or dropped
sponsorship on refer to http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/d110/sponlst.html. The key to increasing cosponsorship is
letting our representatives know of veterans feelings on issues. At the end of some listed bills is a web
link that can be used to do that. Otherwise, you can locate on http://thomas.loc.gov who your representative
is and his/her phone number, mailing address, or email/website to communicate
with a message or letter of your own making:
House Bills
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H.R.0023: Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2007. A bill to amend title 46, United States Code, to provide benefits to certain individuals who served in the United States merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) during World War II. Sponsor: Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] (introduced 1/4/07). Cosponsors (244). Companion bill S.0961. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
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H.R.0025: Fair Tax Act of 2007. A bill to promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity
by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue
Service, and enacting a national sales tax to be administered primarily by the
States. Sponsor: Rep Linder, John [GA-7] (introduced 1/4/07). Cosponsors (70).
Companion Bill is S.0025. Status:
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
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H.R.0067: Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2007. A bill to amend title 38, United States
Code, to improve the outreach activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs,
and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep McIntyre, Mike [NC-7] (introduced 1/4/07). Cosponsors (32). Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
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H.R.0081: Montgomery GI Bill Act. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that members of the Armed Forces and Selected Reserve may transfer certain educational assistance benefits to dependents, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Bartlett, Roscoe G. [MD-6] (introduced 1/4/07) Cosponsors (4). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
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H.R.0089: Combat-Related
Special Compensation Act. A
bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to extend eligibility for
combat-related special compensation (CRSC) paid to certain uniformed services
retirees who are retired under chapter 61 of such title with fewer than 20
years of creditable service. Sponsor: Rep Bilirakis, Gus M. [FL-9] (introduced
1/4/07). Cosponsors
(43). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel. Companion bill S.986. To support this bill
and/or contact your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/?bill=9240191.
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H.R.0092: Veterans Timely
Access to Health Care Act. A
bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish standards of access
(i.e. 30 days) to care for veterans seeking health care from the Department of
Veterans Affairs, would allow referral to civilian care in cases where the
standard is not met, would require the VA to annually report its performance in
meeting those access standards, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep
Brown-Waite, Ginny [FL-5] (introduced 1/4/07). Cosponsors (11). Status:
Subcommittee Hearings Held. To support
this bill and/or contact your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/?bill=9240456.
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H.R.0109: Disabled Veteran Small Business Eligibility Expansion Act of 2007. A bill to amend the Small Business Act to make service-disabled veterans eligible under the 8(a) business development program. Sponsor: Rep Davis, Jo Ann [VA-1] (introduced 1/4/07). Cosponsors (2). Status: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
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H.R.0112:
G.I. Advanced Education in Science and Technology
Act. A bill to amend title
38, United States Code, to provide for the payment of stipends to veterans who
pursue doctoral degrees in science or technology. Sponsor: Rep Davis, Jo Ann
[VA-1] (introduced 1/4/07). Cosponsors (None). Status: Subcommittee
Hearings Held.
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H.R.0136: Identity Theft Notification Act of 2007. A bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act to provide that individuals and appropriate authorities are notified by the Commissioner of Social Security of evidence of misuse of the Social Security account numbers of such individuals. Sponsor: Rep Gallegly, Elton [CA-24] (introduced 1/4/07). Cosponsors (17). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
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H.R.0140: A bill to amend title 10, United States
Code, to require the amounts reimbursed to institutional providers of health care services under the TRICARE program to be
the same as amounts reimbursed under Medicare, and to require the Secretary of
Defense to contract for health care services with at least one teaching
hospital in urban areas. Sponsor: Rep Green, Gene [TX-29] (introduced 1/4/07). Cosponsors(13).
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel. To support this bill and/or contact your
Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=9329026&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
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H.R.0156: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code,
to provide for the payment of dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) to
the survivors of former prisoners of war (POWs) who died on or before 30 SEP
99, under the same eligibility conditions as apply to payment of DIC to the
survivors of former prisoners of war who die after that date. Sponsor: Rep
Holden, Tim [PA-17] (introduced 1/4/07). Cosponsors (31). Status:
Subcommittee Hearings Held. To support
this bill and/or contact your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/?bill=9240856
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H.R.0191: Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the inclusion in gross income of Social Security benefits. Sponsor: Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14] (introduced 1/4/07). Cosponsors (11). Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
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H.R.0207: Depleted Uranium
Screening and Testing Act. A
bill to provide for identification of members of the Armed Forces exposed
during military service to depleted uranium, to provide for health testing of
such members, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Serrano, Jose E. [NY-16]
(introduced 1/4/07). Cosponsors (15). Status: Referred to the
Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
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H.R.0243: Combat Military
Medically Retired Veteran's Fairness Act. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the
payment of Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) to members of the Armed
Forces retired for disability with less than 20 years of active military
service who were awarded the Purple Heart. Sponsor: Rep Weller, Jerry [IL-11]
(introduced 1/5/07). Cosponsors (12). Status: Referred to the
Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
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H.R.0303: Retired Pay
Restoration Act. A bill to
amend title 10, United States Code, to permit certain 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 (CRSC) and to eliminate the phase-in
period under current law with respect to such concurrent receipt. Sponsor: Rep
Bilirakis, Gus M. [FL-9] (introduced 1/5/07). Cosponsors (160). Status: Referred
to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. To support this bill and/or contact your
Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/?bill=9240026
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H.R.0315: Healthy Vets
Act. A bill to amend title
38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter
into contracts with community health care providers to improve access to health
care for veterans in highly rural areas, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep
Pearce, Stevan [NM-2] (introduced 1/5/07). Cosponsors (22). Status: Subcommittee
Hearings Held. To support this bill
and/or contact your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=9328981&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
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H.R.0327: Veterans Suicide Prevention Act. A bill 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 1/9/07). Cosponsors (152).. Status: Became Public Law No: 110-110
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H.R.0333: Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to permit retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability rated less than 50% to receive concurrent payment of both retired pay and veterans' disability compensation, to eliminate the phase-in period for concurrent receipt, to extend eligibility for concurrent receipt and combat-related special compensation to chapter 61 disability retirees with less than 20 years of service, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Marshall, Jim [GA-8] (introduced 1/9/07). Cosponsors (67). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel. To support this bill and/or contact your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=9548021
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H.R.0339: Veterans
Outpatient Care Access Act of 2007.
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve access to
medical services for veterans seeking treatment at Department of Veterans
Affairs outpatient clinics with exceptionally long waiting periods. Sponsor:
Rep Duncan, John J., Jr. [TN-2] (introduced 1/9/07). Cosponsors (3). Status:
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
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H.R.0343: Military Retiree
Health Care Relief Act of 2007. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a
refundable credit to military retirees for premiums paid for coverage under
Medicare Part B. Sponsor: Rep Emerson, Jo Ann [MO-8] (introduced 1/9/07). Cosponsors (8). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee
on Health. To support this bill and/or
contact your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=9329391&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
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H.R.0402: Veterans'
Disability Compensation Automatic COLA Act. A bill to amend title 38, United States
Code, to provide for annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) to be made
automatically by law each year in the rates of disability compensation for
veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and
indemnity compensation for survivors of certain service-connected disabled
veterans. Sponsor: Rep Knollenberg, Joe [MI-09] (introduced 1/11/07). Cosponsors (32).
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs. To support this bill
and/or contact your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=9330146&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id].
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H.R.0447: A bill to amend title 38, United States
Code, to provide that World War II merchant mariners who were awarded the
Mariners Medal shall be provided eligibility for DVA health care on the same
basis as veterans who have been awarded the Purple Heart. Sponsor: Rep
Fortenberry, Jeff [NE-1] (introduced 1/12/07). Cosponsors (1). Status
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
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H.R.0463:
Honor Our Commitment to Veterans Act. A bill to amend title 38, United States
Code, to terminate the administrative freeze on the enrollment into the health
care system of the Department of Veterans Affairs of veterans in the lowest
priority category for enrollment (referred to as "Priority 8").
Sponsor: Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-09] (introduced 1/12/07). Cosponsors (53).
Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
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H.R.0538: South Texas Veterans Access to Care Act of 2007. To provide for the health care needs of veterans in far South Texas. Sponsor: Rep Ortiz, Solomon P. [TX-27] (introduced 1/17/07). Cosponsors (15). Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
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H.R.0542: A bill to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide mental health services in languages other than English, as needed, for veterans with limited English proficiency, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Solis, Hilda L. [CA-32] (introduced 1/17/07). Cosponsors (26). Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
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H.R.0551: Home Ownership
for America's Veterans Act of 2007.
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to the eligibility
of veterans for mortgage bond financing, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep
Davis, Susan A. [CA-53] (introduced 1/18/07). Cosponsors (70). Status:
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
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H.R.0579: Military
Retirees Health Care Protection Act.
A bill to amend
title 10, United States Code, to prohibit certain increases in fees (i.e.
Tricare) for military health care. Sponsor: Rep Edwards, Chet [TX-17]
(introduced 1/19/07). Cosponsors (183). Status: Referred to
the Subcommittee on Military Personnel. To
support this bill and/or contact your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=9284961&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
or http://capwiz.com/trea/issues/alert/?alertid=9289751&queueid=1050771381
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H.R.0585: A bill to amend title 38, United States
Code, to expand the number of individuals qualifying for retroactive benefits
from traumatic injury protection coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life
Insurance. Sponsor: Rep Herseth, Stephanie [SD] (introduced 1/19/07). Cosponsors (4).
Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
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H.R.0612: Returning Servicemember VA Healthcare Insurance Act of 2007. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the period of eligibility for health care for combat service in the Persian Gulf War or future hostilities from two years to five years after discharge or release. Sponsor: Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] (introduced 1/22/07). Cosponsors (20). Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
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H.R.0634: American
Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act. A bill to authorize the secretary of the Treasury to mint commemorative
silver dollars that will be sold with a surcharge that will help the American
Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial Foundation raise the money needed to
construct the Disabled Veterans Memorial. Sponsor: Rep Moore, Dennis [KS-3]
(introduced 1/23/07). Cosponsors 298. 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): 416 – 0.
Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. To support this bill and/or contact your Senator refer to http://capwiz.com/military/issues/alert/?alertid=9802696
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H.R.0649: Blind
Veterans Fairness Act. A bill to amend title XVI of the Social
Security Act to provide that annuities paid by States to blind veterans shall
be disregarded in determining supplemental security income (SSI) benefits.
Sponsor: Rep Reynolds, Thomas M. [NY-26] (introduced 1/24/07). Cosponsors (35). Status:
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
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H.R.0650: A bill to provide for the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to conduct a pilot program to determine the effectiveness of
contracting for the use of private memory care facilities for veterans with
Alzheimer's Disease. Sponsor: Rep Reynolds, Thomas M. [NY-26] (introduced
1/24/07). Cosponsors
(13). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
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H.R.0652: A bill to make the National Parks and
Federal Recreational Lands Pass available at a discount to certain veterans.
Sponsor: Rep Reynolds, Thomas M. [NY-26] (introduced 1/24/07). Cosponsors (34).
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public
Lands.
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H.R.0653: Combat
Veteran Affidavit Act of 2007. A bill to amend title 38, United States
Code, to allow the sworn affidavit of a veteran who served in combat during the
Korean War or an earlier conflict to be accepted as proof of service-connection
of a disease or injury alleged to have been incurred or aggravated by such
service. Sponsor: Rep Reynolds, Thomas M. [NY-26] (introduced 1/24/07). Cosponsors (11).
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial
Affairs.
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H.R.0657: Military Retiree Survivor Comfort Act. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for forgiveness
of certain overpayments of retired pay paid to deceased retired members of the
Armed Forces following their death. Sponsor: Rep Jones, Walter B., Jr. [NC-3]
(introduced 1/24/07). Cosponsors (40). Status: Referred to the
Subcommittee on Military Personnel. To
support this bill and/or contact your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=9322811&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id].
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H.R.674: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to repeal the provision of law requiring termination of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans as of December 31, 2009. Sponsor: Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. [IL-4] (introduced 1/24/07). Cosponsors (1). Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
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H.R.675: Disabled
Veterans Adaptive Housing Improvement Act. A bill to
amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the amount of assistance
available to disabled veterans for specially adapted housing and to provide for
annual increases in such amount. Sponsor: Rep Herseth, Stephanie [SD]
(introduced 1/24/07). Cosponsors (2). Status: Subcommittee
Hearings Held.
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H.R.0690: A bill to amend title 10, United States
Code, to reduce the minimum age for receipt of military retired pay for
non-regular service from 60 to 55. Sponsor: Rep Saxton, Jim [NJ-3] (introduced
1/24/07). Cosponsors (125). Status:
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
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H.R.0704: A bill to amend title 38, United States
Code, to reduce from age 57 to age 55 the age after which the remarriage of the
surviving spouse of a deceased veteran shall not result in termination of
dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) otherwise payable to that surviving
spouse.
Sponsor: Rep Bilirakis, Gus M. [FL-9]
(introduced 1/29/07). Cosponsors (6). Status: Subcommittee
Hearings Held.
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H.R.0737: Forgotten
Veteran's Retirement Compensation Act. A bill to correct an inequity in eligibility for military retired
pay based on nonregular service in the case of certain members of the reserve components completing their reserve service before
1966. Sponsor: Rep Scott, Robert C. [VA-3] (introduced 1/30/07). Cosponsors (8).
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
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H.R.0760: Filipino
Veterans Equity Act of 2007.
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to deem certain service in
the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the
Philippines and the Philippine Scouts to have been active service for purposes
of benefits under programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sponsor: Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] (introduced 1/31/07). Cosponsors (108). Companion bill S.0057. Status: Ordered to
be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
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H.R.0784: A bill to amend title 10, United States
Code, to change the effective date for paid-up coverage under the military
Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). Sponsor: Rep Saxton, Jim [NJ-3] (introduced
1/31/07). Cosponsors
(118). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military
Personnel. To support this bill and/or
contact your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=9409496&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
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H.R.0797: Veteran Vision Equity Act. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve compensation benefits for veterans in certain cases of impairment of vision involving both eyes, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Baldwin, Tammy [WI-2] (introduced 2/5/07). Cosponsors 64. Status: Became Public Law No: 110-157****************
H.R.0959: Forgotten
Military Widows Annuity Act of 2007.
A bill to expand a
Department of Defense survivor annuity program (SBP) that covers unremarried
surviving spouses of certain members of the uniformed services who died before
October 1, 1978, to include any otherwise eligible surviving spouse who
remarries after age 55 or whose remarriage before age 55 is terminated.
Sponsor: Rep Saxton, Jim [NJ-3] (introduced 2/8/07). Cosponsors (none). Status:
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
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H.R.0991: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 to allow individuals eligible for veterans health benefits to contribute
to health savings accounts. Sponsor: Rep Campbell, John [CA-48] (introduced
2/12/07). Cosponsors (1). Status:
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
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H.R.1041: Veterans
Health Care Full Funding Act. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide an enhanced
funding process to ensure an adequate level of funding
for veterans health care programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to
establish standards of access to care for veterans seeking health care from the
Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Smith,
Christopher H. [NJ-4] (introduced 2/14/07). Cosponsors (6). Status: Referred
to the Subcommittee on Health.
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H.R.1086: Strengthening
America's Military Families Act of 2007. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude from gross
income the earned income of a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the
United States serving in a combat zone. Sponsor: Rep Garrett, Scott [NJ-5]
(introduced 2/15/07). Cosponsors (6). Status: Referred to the
House Committee on Ways and Means.
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H.R.1110: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 to allow Federal civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance
premiums on a pretax basis and to allow a deduction for TRICARE supplemental
premiums. Sponsor: Rep Davis, Tom [VA-11] (introduced 2/16/07). Cosponsors (308).
Companion bill to S.773. Status: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous
Consent. To support this bill and/or
contact your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=9408296
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H.R.1115: A bill to amend section 1477 of title 10,
United States Code, to provide additional options regarding the designation of
the person to receive the death gratuity paid with respect to a member of the
Armed Forces who dies without a surviving spouse, but who is survived by a
minor child. Sponsor: Rep Latham, Tom [IA-4] (introduced 2/16/07). Cosponsors (30). Companion Bill is S.659. Status: Referred
to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel. To support this bill and/or contact your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=9423396&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
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H.R.1197: Prisoner of War
Benefits Act of 2007. A
bill 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 2/27/07). Cosponsors (6 Status: Referred to the
House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
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H.R.1211: Resuming
Education After Defense Service Act of 2007. A bill to amend title 38,
United States Code, to provide entitlement to educational assistance under the
Montgomery GI Bill for members of the Selected Reserve who aggregate more than
two years of active duty service in any five year period, and for other
purposes. Sponsor: Rep Matheson, Jim [UT-2] (introduced 2/27/07). Cosponsors (69). Status: Referred
to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
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H.R.1214: Veterans'
Survivors Education Enhancement Act. A bill to amend title 38,
United States Code, to expand and enhance educational assistance for survivors
and dependents of veterans. Sponsor:
Rep Ramstad, Jim [MN-3] (introduced 2/27/07). Cosponsors
(3). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity.
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H.R.1222: Keep Our Promise to America’s Military Retirees Act. A bill to restore health care coverage to retired members of the uniformed services, and for other purposes. This measure would fulfill the promises made to young recruits that quality health care would be available to them when they retired after a career in uniformed service to our country. It would also allow military retirees to opt out of the Tricare military health system and enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) plan if Tricare does not provide them adequate health care. Sponsor: Rep Van Hollen, Chris [MD-8] (introduced 2/28/07). Cosponsors (114). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
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H.R.1223: Keeping Faith with the Greatest Generation Military Retirees Act. A bill to amend part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to waive Medicare part B premiums for certain military retirees. Sponsor: Rep Van Hollen, Chris [MD-8] (introduced 2/28/07). Cosponsors (104). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
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H.R.1226: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand eligibility for the basic educational
assistance program of the DVA. Sponsor: Rep Johnson, Timothy V. [IL-15]
(introduced 2/28/07). Cosponsors (2).
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
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H.R.1265: Service-Disabled
Veteran-Owned Small Business Equity Act of 2007. A bill to amend the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small
Business Administration to award contracts to small business concerns owned and
controlled by service-disabled veterans under the section 8(a) program.
Sponsor: Rep Buyer, Steve [IN-4] (introduced 3/1/07). Cosponsors (2). Status: Referred
to the House Committee on Small Business.
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H.R.1268: Dignity for
Wounded Warriors Act. A
bill to ensure dignity in care for members of the Armed Forces recovering
from injuries. Sponsor: Rep Mitchell, Harry E. [AZ-5] (introduced 3/1/07). Cosponsors (36).
Companion Bill is S.713. Status:
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
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H.R.1272: Veterans'
Pension Improvement Act of 2007. A bill to amend title 38,
United States Code, to improve the pension program of the DVA. Sponsor: Rep
Berkley, Shelley [NV-1] (introduced 3/1/07). Cosponsors
(8). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
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H.R.1273: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to restore plot allowance eligibility for veterans of any war and to
restore the headstone or marker allowance for eligible persons. Sponsor: Rep
Berkley, Shelley [NV-1] (introduced 3/1/07). Cosponsors
(4). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
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H.R.1284: Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2007. A bill to increase, effective as of December 1, 2007, 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. Sponsor: Rep Hall, John J. [NY-19] (introduced 3/1/07). Cosponsors (14). Related bill S.423. Status: Became Public Law No: 110-111.
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H.R.1315: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide specially adaptive housing
assistance to certain disabled members of the Armed Forces residing temporarily
in housing owned by a family member. Sponsor: Rep Herseth, Stephanie [SD]
(introduced 3/5/07). Cosponsors (None).
Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held. 8/3/2007
Read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
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H.R.1318: Veterans'
Benefits Protection Act. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to repeal the authority for agent or
attorney representation in veterans benefits cases before the Department of
Veterans Affairs. Sponsor: Rep Lewis, Ron [KY-2] (introduced 3/5/07). Cosponsors (2). Status: Referred
to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
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H.R.1330: A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to extend the time limit for the use
of education assistance by members of the Selected Reserve and members of the
reserve component supporting contingency operations and certain other
operations. Sponsor: Rep Carney, Christopher P. [PA-10] (introduced 3/6/07). Cosponsors (43). Status: Referred
to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
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H.R.1354: Veterans
Health and Benefits Improvement Act of 2007. A bill to amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code,
to improve benefits and services for members of the Armed Forces, veterans of
the Global War on Terrorism, and other veterans, to require reports on the
effects of the Global War on Terrorism, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep
Moran, James P. [VA-8] (introduced 3/6/07). Cosponsors
(55). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military
Personnel.
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H.R.1418: Reauthorization
of the Traumatic Brain Injury Act.
A bill to provide for the expansion and improvement of traumatic
brain injury programs. Sponsor: Rep Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [NJ-8] (introduced
3/8/07). Cosponsors (40). Companion
bill to S.793. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
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H.R.1426: Veterans'
Access to Local Health Care Options and Resources Act. A
bill to amend title 38, United
States Code, to provide veterans enrolled in the health system of the DVA the
option of receiving covered health services through facilities other than those
of the Department. Sponsor: Rep Latham, Tom [IA-4] (introduced 3/9/07). Cosponsors (13). Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held. Companion bill to S.815.
To support this bill and/or
contact your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=9697361&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
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H.R.1428: National
Guard and Reserve Retirement Modernization Act. A
bill to amend title 10, United
States Code, to reduce the eligibility age for receipt of non-regular military
service retired pay for members of the Ready Reserve in active federal status
or on active duty for significant periods. Sponsor: Rep Latham, Tom [IA-4]
(introduced 3/9/07). Cosponsors (35). Status:
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
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H.R.1435: Department
of Veterans Affairs Claims Backlog Reduction Act of 2007. A
bill to direct the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to conduct a pilot program to reduce the backlog of claims for
benefits pending with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Sponsor: Rep Baca,
Joe [CA-43] (introduced 3/9/07). Cosponsors (17).
Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
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H.R.1436: Retired
Pay Restoration Act. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to permit certain retired members of
the uniformed services who have a service-connected disability to receive both
disability compensation from the DVA for their disability and either retired
pay by reason of their years of military service or Combat-Related Special
Compensation. It would eliminate the phase-in period for retirees
who are paid at the 100%-disabled rate due to individual unemployability (IU).
It also would extend concurrent receipt (CRDP)to otherwise-qualified disabled
retirees with disabilities rated less than 50%. Sponsor: Rep Bilirakis, Gus M. [FL-9]
(introduced 3/9/07). Cosponsors (12). Status:
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
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H.R.1444: A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make interim benefit payments
under certain remanded claims, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Hall, John
J. [NY-19] (introduced 3/9/07). Cosponsors (1).
Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
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H.R.1470: Chiropractic
Care Available to All Veterans Act. A bill to amend the Department of Veterans Affairs
Health Care Programs Enhancement Act of 2001 to require the provision of chiropractic
care and services to veterans at all Department of Veterans Affairs medical
centers. Sponsor: Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] (introduced 3/12/07). Cosponsors (16). Related bills H.R.1471 &
H.R.1554. Status:
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs. To support this bill and/or contact your Senator refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=9814161&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
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H.R.1471: BACK
Veterans Health Act. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to permit eligible veterans to
receive direct access to chiropractic care. Sponsor: Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51]
(introduced 3/12/07). Cosponsors (3).
Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
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H.R.1477: Disabled
Veterans Commissary and Exchange Store Benefits Act. A bill to amend title
10, United States Code, to extend military commissary and exchange store
privileges to veterans with a compensable service-connected disability and to
their dependents. Sponsor: Rep Fortenberry, Jeff [NE-1] (introduced 3/12/07). Cosponsors (1). Status: Referred
to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
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H.R.1490: A bill to provide for a presumption of service-connectedness for certain claims
for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs,
and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Donnelly, Joe [IN-2] (by request)
(introduced 3/13/07). Cosponsors (19).
Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
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H.R.1521: Universal Health Act of 2007: Repeal of the Late Enrollment
Penalty in Medicare Part D. A bill to amend
part D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove the Medicare
prescription drug benefit late enrollment penalty. Sponsor: Rep Kagen, Steve,
M.D. [WI-8] (introduced 3/14/07). Cosponsors (25).
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
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H.R.1527: Rural Veterans Access to Care Act . A bill to amend
title 38, United States Code, to allow highly rural veterans enrolled in the
health system of the Department of Veterans Affairs to receive covered health
services through providers other than those of the Department, and for other
purposes. Sponsor: Rep Moran, Jerry [KS-1] (introduced 3/14/07). Cosponsors (13). Status: Subcommittee
Hearings Held.
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H.R.1536: Prescription Coverage Now Act of 2007. A bill to amend part D of title XVIII
of the Social Security Act to assist low-income individuals in obtaining
subsidized prescription drug coverage under the Medicare prescription drug
program by expediting the application and qualification process and by revising
the resource standards used to determine eligibility for such subsidies, and
for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Doggett, Lloyd [TX-25]
(introduced 3/15/07). Cosponsors (170).
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
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H.R.1538: Wounded Warrior
Assistance Act of 2007. A
bill 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 3/15/07). Cosponsors (28).
Related bill S.1283. Status: Passed Senate with an amendment by
Unanimous Consent. To support this
bill and/or contact your Senator refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=9600206&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
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H.R.1552: Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapists Act of 2007. A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social
Security Act to authorize physical therapists to evaluate and treat Medicare
beneficiaries without a requirement for a physician referral, and for other
purposes. Sponsor: Rep Pomeroy, Earl [ND] (introduced 3/15/07). Cosponsors (122). Status: Referred to the
Subcommittee on Health.
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H.R.1554: Chiropractic Health Parity for Military Beneficiaries Act.
A bill to require the Secretary of Defense to develop and implement a plan to
provide chiropractic health care services and benefits for certain new
beneficiaries as part of the TRICARE program. Sponsor: Rep Rogers, Mike D.
[AL-3] (introduced 3/15/07). Cosponsors (11). Status: Referred to the
Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
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H.R.1570: Bataan Death March Compensation Act. A bill to provide compensation for certain World War II veterans who survived the Bataan
Death March and were held as prisoners of war by the Japanese. Sponsor: Rep
Mica, John L. [FL-7] (introduced 3/19/07). Cosponsors (4).
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H.R.1589: Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act . A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to
repeal the offset from surviving spouse annuities under the military Survivor
Benefit Plan for amounts paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as
dependency and indemnity compensation, to repeal the optional annuity authority
for the dependent children of a member when there is an eligible surviving
spouse, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Brown, Henry E., Jr. [SC-1]
(introduced 3/20/07). Cosponsors (91). Status: Referred to the
Subcommittee on Military Personnel. To
support this bill and/or contact your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=9550256&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
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H.R.1660: A bill to direct the VA Secretary to establish a national cemetery for veterans in the southern Colorado region. Sponsor: Rep Salazar, John T. [CO-3] (introduced 3/22/07). Cosponsors (8). Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
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H.R.1710: A bill to modify
the calculation of back pay for persons who were approved for promotion as
members of the Navy and Marine Corps while interned as prisoners of war during
World War II to take into account changes in the Consumer Price Index. Sponsor:
Rep Hooley, Darlene [OR-5] (introduced 3/27/07). Cosponsors
(None). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military
Personnel.
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H.R.1732: A bill to provide
alternative retired pay rates under title 10, United States Code, and
alternative disability compensation rates under title 38, United States Code,
for members of the Armed Forces with a combat-related disability, with such
rates based on the average monthly salary for high school graduates in the U.S.,
and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Bartlett, Roscoe G. [MD-6] (introduced
3/28/07). Cosponsors (33). Status:
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
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H.R.1745: Uniting America's Military Families Act of 2007. A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act
to waive inadmissibility based on a misrepresentation in the case of an
immediate relative of an active duty or reserve member of the Armed Forces and
to extend the V nonimmigrant visa program for spouses and children of such a
member. Sponsor: Rep Ortiz, Solomon P. [TX-27] (introduced 3/28/07). Cosponsors (19). Status: Referred to the
Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and
International Law.
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H.R.1750: A bill to
amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to extend from 90 days to one year
the period after release of a member of the Armed Forces from active duty
during which the member is protected from mortgage foreclosure under that Act.
Sponsor: Rep Wynn, Albert Russell [MD-4] (introduced 3/28/07). Cosponsors (1).
Status: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
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H.R.1863: A bill to direct
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct at two-year pilot program to use a
mobile processing unit to perform certain services of the Department of
Veterans Affairs.
Sponsor: Rep
Lamborn, Doug [CO-5] (introduced 4/17/07). Cosponsors
(1). Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
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H.R.1864: A bill to amend
title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
provide for the automated processing of veterans disability compensation
claims. Sponsor: Rep Lamborn, Doug [CO-5] (introduced 4/17/07). Cosponsors (1). Status: Referred to the
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
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H.R.1900:
A bill to amend title 38, United States
Code, to extend eligibility for pension benefits under laws administered by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to veterans who received an expeditionary medal
during a period of military service other than a period of war. Sponsor: Rep
Rahall, Nick J., II [WV-3] (introduced 4/17/07). Cosponsors (1). Status: Referred
to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
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H.R.1901: A bill to amend
title 38, United States Code, to extend eligibility for pension benefits under
laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to veterans who served
during certain periods of time in specified locations. Sponsor: Rep Rahall,
Nick J., II [WV-3] (introduced 4/17/07). Cosponsors
(1). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
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