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Vets Job Training Bill Passes House

Yesterday, the House passed a number of veteran related measures, including legislation introduced by Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Ranking Member John Boozman to improve job training opportunities for veterans.

Vets Committee to Meet in Santa Fe

The interim legislative Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee has rescheduled its two-day meeting in southern New Mexico for Nov. 9-10.

Priority Status of Vet-Owned Businesses

Today, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs approved two bills, including measures to increase veterans’ ability to compete for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) procurement contracts, and to improve job training opportunities for veterans.

Bills to Enhance Veteran Protections

On Wednesday, October 28, 2009, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, led by Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA), approved two bills that would improve benefits and services to veterans provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

MA Veterans In Line To Gain New Benefits

Bay State veterans would get expanded benefits and better access to jobs and elderly care while families of fallen heroes would receive a medal acknowledging their sacrifice in a sweeping bill lawmakers plan to pass tomorrow in honor of Veterans Day.

Committee Reviews Energy Efficiency Plans for VA

Today, Congressmen Steve Buyer and Michael Michaud took the opportunity to discuss their long-standing bipartisan legislation to establish energy conservation and sustainability practices at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) during a full Committee hearing on VA energy programs.

New Rules to Make Overseas Voting Easier

Voting in next year’s congressional elections is expected to get a bit easier for troops stationed in Europe, Asia or remote war zone outposts with new voting regulations included in the fiscal 2010 National Defense Authorization Act.

Bill Offers 30k Guardsmen New GI Bill

Congressman Dave Loebsack introduced the National Guard Education Equality Act, a bipartisan bill that will help over 30,000 members of the National Guard receive their full education benefits. Last month, the first benefits provided under the landmark Post 9/11 GI bill began to be distributed.

Health Care Bill Could Still Harm Vets

House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Steve Buyer said today that he remains committed to fixing problem provisions of H.R. 3200, the national health care reform bill, that could harm veterans, servicemembers and their families.

VA Advance Funding Bill Passes Senate

The Senate has unanimously approved U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel K. Akaka’s (D-HI) legislation to secure timely and predictable funding for the veterans’ health care system.

Bill Assisting Mil Families Passes Senate

Michael Bennet got his first measure past the U.S. Senate when the chamber voted to exempt the military's combat pay from calculations for federal low-income food programs.

Senate Hears of Guard Chemical Exposure

Three former National Guard members told a Senate committee they were exposed to a deadly chemical with long-term health effects while serving in Iraq.

Lawmakers Address Overseas Custody

Cmdr. Paul Toland, left, stands outside the U.S. Capitol July 16, 2009, with Patrick Braden, another parent facing similar child custody issues.The U.S. military would be required to establish an official support network for servicemembers whose children have been abducted overseas under an amendment added to the 2010 defense authorization bill last month.

Lawmakers Talk Veterans Health Care

Today, the House approved three veterans’ measures, including an omnibus bill that combines provisions from nine bills previously approved by two subcommittees to improve Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and life insurance programs.

Lawmakers Investigate VA Patient Care

Today, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing regarding several incidents at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center in Philadelphia, in which patient safety was compromised during prostate cancer treatments.

Legislation to Improve VA Health Care

Today, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs Subcommittees on Health and Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs approved a number of bills to improve VA health care and life insurance programs.

House Boosts Funding For Vets Programs

The House has passed a bill giving a big budget boost to provide health care to injured soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan and other veterans.

Bill Asks VA to Study Geriatric Center

The Kerrville VA Hospital is one hurdle closer to opening a geriatric center of excellence.

Senator: Increase 2010 VA Budget

Bill contains billions of dollars for medical care, women veterans, homeless veterans; includes specific language on Walla Walla VA, South Puget Sound CBOC.

‘More Humane’ Use of ‘Don’t Ask’

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said Pentagon lawyers are researching whether military officials can ignore the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in cases where servicemembers are “outed” against their will.

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