From: John Miterko (Veterans Advocate)
Sent: Tue, Dec 17, 2013 3:17 pm
Subject: 113th Congress Veteran Legislation
Email: paladin_jam@yahoo.com
The information residing on this page is for distribution to all VVA Chapter members.
There are 6,712 bills and resolutions containing 3,128 amendments currently before the United States Congress. Of those, on average only about 5% will become law. They must be enacted before the end of the 2013-2015 session (the “113th Congress”). To date only 65 laws have been passed by both chambers and sent to the President for signature. As of 31 DEC, of the 3808 House and 1894 Senate bills introduced in the 113th Congress, the ones listed below as an attachment are of interest to the non-active duty veteran community. A good indication on the likelihood of a bill of being forwarded to the House or Senate for passage and subsequently being signed into law by the President is the number of cosponsors who have signed onto the bill. An alternate way for it to become law is if it is added as an addendum to another bill such as the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and survives the conference committee assigned to iron out the difference between the House and Senate bills.
The reality of politics is that bills are introduced by individual US Representatives and Senators in response to requests from their constituents or lobbying groups, or in response to the hot issue of the day such as Cost Of Living Adjustments (COLA) for veterans and military retirees. The elected official appears to be responsive to his or her constituency, but precious little follow up or active solicitation of other elected officials as co-sponsors occurs. Unfortunately veteran related bills end up in a sub-committee where it will be studied for months or years, with no chance of any specific bill ever being brought to the House or Senate floor for debate and vote.
Veteran Service Organizations focus on a handful of veteran related bills, and seek to educate lawmakers on the features, advantages, and benefits of this selective highly focused and prioritized legislation, and to influence the lawmakers into an active role in promoting the legislation. On a positive note, individual veterans can help this lobbying, education, and influencing process by calling or emailing their Representative and two US Senators, identifying themselves as a constituent, and asking for support for one or more specific bills. An active, involved grassroots veterans community can accomplish much, evidence what has been accomplished at the State level over the past eight plus years and four Texas Legislative Sessions. If you want legislation passed that positively impacts the veteran community, your personal, individual involvement is critical and essential. Get educated on the issues, become involved in the political process.
To locate a summary of all House/Senate bills and resolutions in numerical order Goto CONGRESS.GOV and select "Ascending" or "Descending". This Congress.gov site will display up to 500 bills per page (selectable) and each item's bill number, short title, sponsor and date introduced, number of cosponsors, last major action, and how far it is advanced in the legislation process to become law (i.e. passed House | passed Senate | sent to President | Became law). To see what the original title was (i.e. what the bill is intended to do), complete text, amendments, or related bill numbers click on the bill number. Congress.gov is the official source for federal legislative information. It replaces the nearly 20-year-old THOMAS.gov site with a system that includes platform mobility, comprehensive information retrieval and user-friendly presentation. It currently includes all data sets available on THOMAS.gov except nominations, treaties and communications. These data sets will be added throughout 2014. THOMAS.gov will be permanently retired by the end of 2014. Until that time it will remain accessible via the link; Goto THOMAS.GOV
Click on a link to quickly access the desired Senate or House Bill listed below
U.S. Senate
S6 S140 S210 S234 S409 S430 S492 S495 S629 S700 S734 S893 S1564 S1602 S1755U.S. House of Representatives
HR32 HR258 HR303 HR333 HR543 HR569 HR570 HR679 HR1134 HR1405 HR1494 HR1520 HR1725 HR1770 HR1774 HR1796 HR2056 HR2519 HR2882 HR2906 HR3098 HR3181 HR3225 HR3230 HR3241 HR3274 HR3287 HR3289 HR3289 HR3453 HR3647 HR3648 HR3649 HR3653 HR3672
A bill to reauthorize the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, to provide assistance to small businesses owned by veterans, to improve enforcement of employment and reemployment rights of members of the uniformed services, and for other purposes.
Putting Our Veterans Back to Work Act of 2013 - Amends the: (1) VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 to extend through March 31, 2016, the veterans retraining assistance program; and (2) Wounded Warrior Act to extend through 2016 the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) (Secretary) to provide the same rehabilitation and vocational benefits to members of the Armed Forces (members) with severe injuries or illnesses as are provided to veterans.
Extends through: (1) March 31, 2016, additional VA rehabilitation programs for certain disabled veterans who have completed a VA rehabilitation program and have exhausted their rights to state unemployment benefits; and (2) FY2015 the collaborative veterans' training, mentoring, and placement program.
Directs the Secretary to develop a single, unified federal web-based employment portal for veterans to access information on federal programs and activities concerning veterans employment, unemployment benefits, and training.
Directs the: (1) Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to award grants to hire veterans as firefighters, and (2) Attorney General (AG) to award grants to hire veterans as law enforcement officers.
Requires the head of each executive and defense agency to consider favorably, as an evaluation factor in federal solicitations for contracts and task or delivery orders valued at or above $25 million, the employment by a prospective contractor of veterans constituting at least 5% of the contractor's workforce.
Allows a veteran on whose behalf a complaint of a violation of employment or reemployment rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) is made by the AG to intervene in such action, and to obtain appropriate relief. Requires the AG, within 60 days after receiving a referral of an unsuccessful attempt to resolve a complaint relating to a state or private employer, to notify the person on whose behalf the complaint is submitted of either the decision to commence such an action or of when such decision is expected to be made. Requires, in the latter case, such decision to be made within an additional 30 days. Requires the AG to commence such an action when there is reasonable cause to believe that a state or private employer is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of such rights and benefits, and that the pattern or practice denies the full exercise of such rights and benefits.
Authorizes the suspension, termination, or debarment of federal contractors for repeated failures or refusals to comply with USERRA protections.
Provides the Special Counsel with subpoena power to require the attendance and testimony of, and production of documents from, federal employees, to be enforced through the Merit Systems Protection Board.
Authorizes the AG, in employment or reemployment rights investigations, to issue and serve a civil investigative demand for the production of documentary material.
Introduced: 1/22/2013
Sponsor: Sen Reid, Harry [NV]
Cosponsors: 25
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/22/2013 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. 6/12/13, hearings held by Committee on Veterans Affairs. 7/24/2013 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
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A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the work opportunity credit to certain recently discharged veterans, to improve the coordination of veteran job training services between the Department of Labor, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Defense, to require transparency for Executive departments in meeting the Government-wide goals for contracting with small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, and for other purposes.
Introduced: 1/24/2013
Sponsor: Sen Baucus, Max [MT]
Committees: Senate Finance
Cosponsors: 3
Latest Major Action: 1/24/2013 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Related Bills: HR 2056
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A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to fraudulent representations about having received military declarations or medals.
Introduced: 2/4/2013
Sponsor: Sen Heller, Dean [NV]
Co-sponsors: 22
Latest Major Action: 2/4/2013 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. NOTE: became public law 113-12 on 6/3/13.
Related Bills: HR 258
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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 Department of Veterans Affairs for their disability and either retired pay by reason of their years of military service or Combat-Related Special Compensation, and for other purposes.
Introduced: 2/7/2013
Sponsor: Sen Reid, Harry [NV]
Cosponsors: 20
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 2/7/2013 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Related Bills: HR 303
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A bill to add Vietnam Veterans Day as a patriotic and national observance. Authorizes the President to annually issue a proclamation: (1) designating March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day, (2) honoring and recognizing the contributions of veterans who served in Vietnam during war and peace, (3) encouraging state and local governments to establish a Vietnam Veterans Day, and (4) encouraging the people of the United States to observe such Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
Introduced: 2/28/2013
Sponsor: Sen Burr, Richard [NC]
Cosponsors: 8
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 2/28/2013 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
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Introduced: 2/28/2013
Sponsor: Sen Heller, Dean [NV]
Cosponsors: 2
Latest Major Action: 6/12/2013 Senate committee/subcommittee actions.
Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
Related Bills: HR 3098---S 495
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A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to require States to recognize the military experience of veterans when issuing licenses and credentials to veterans, and for other purposes.
Introduced: 3/7/2013
Sponsor: Sen Burr, Richard [NC]
Co-sponsor: 1
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/7/2013 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. 6/12/13, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs; hearings held.
Related bills: S 495
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Introduced: 3/7/2013
Sponsor: Sen Burr, Richard [NC]
Co-sponsors: 6
Latest Major Action: 6/12/2013 Senate committee/subcommittee actions.
Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
Related Bills: S 430---S 492
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A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to recognize the service in the reserve components of the Armed Forces of certain persons by honoring them with status as veterans under law, and for other purposes.
Introduced: 3/20/2013
Sponsor: Sen Pryor, Mark L. [AR]
Cosponsors: 24
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/20/2013 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. 6/12/13: hearings held by Committee on Veterans Affairs.
Related bills: HR 679
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A bill to ensure that the education and training provided members of the Armed Forces and veterans better assists members and veterans in obtaining civilian certifications and licenses, and for other purposes.
Introduced: 4/10/2013
Sponsor: Sen Kaine, Tim [VA]
Co-sponsors: 18
Latest Major Action: 4/10/2013 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Related Bills: HR 1796
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A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to repeal the requirement for reduction of survivor annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan by veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation.
Introduced: 4-16-2013
Summary: Repeals certain provisions which require the offset of amounts paid in dependency and indemnity compensation from Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities for the surviving spouses of former military personnel who are entitled to military retired pay or would be entitled to such pay, except for being under 60 years of age. Prohibits recoupment by the Secretary of Defense (DOD) of certain amounts previously paid to SBP recipients in the form of a retired pay refund. Repeals the optional authority of (and instead requires) the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay an annuity to a member's dependent children when there is no eligible surviving spouse. Directs the Secretary concerned to restore annuity eligibility to a surviving spouse who earlier agreed to transfer such eligibility to a surviving child or children of a member.
Sponsor: Sen Nelson, Bill [FL]
Cosponsors: 31
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 4/16/2013 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Related Bill: HR 32
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Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase, as of December 1, 2013, the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Requires each such increase to be the same percentage as the increase in benefits provided under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, on the same effective date.
Introduced: 5/8/2013
Sponsor: Senator Bernard Sanders
Cosponsors: 17
Latest Major Action: 6/12/13: hearing held by Committee on Veterans Affairs; 7/24/13: ordered to be reported favorably without amendment; 9/4/13: placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar no. 165. 10/29/2013 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. 11/12/13: passed in the House. 11/14/13: presented to the President. Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 113-52.
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A bill making continuing appropriations for veterans benefits and services in the event of a Government shutdown.
Sponsor: Senator Sanders
Co-sponsors: 7
Status: 9/30/13, referred to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
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A bill to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs a national center for the diagnosis, treatment, and research of health conditions of the descendants of veterans exposed to toxic substances during service in the Armed Forces, to provide certain services to those descendants, to establish an advisory board on exposure to toxic substances, and for other purposes.
Introduced: 10/29/2013
Sponsor: Sen Blumenthal, Richard [CT]
Co-sponsors: 1
Latest Major Action: 10/29/2013 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
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A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on matters relating to the claiming and interring of unclaimed remains of veterans, and for other purposes.
Introduced: 11/21/2013
Sponsor: Sen. Toomey, Pat [R-PA]
Latest Action: 11/21/2013 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
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A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to repeal the requirement for reduction of survivor annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan for military surviving spouses to offset the receipt of veterans dependency and indemnity compensation.
Introduced: 1-3-2013
Summary: Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act - Repeals certain provisions which require the offset of amounts paid in dependency and indemnity compensation from Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities for the surviving spouses of former military personnel who are entitled to military retired pay or who would be entitled to retired pay except for being under 60 years of age. Prohibits requiring repayment of certain amounts previously paid to SBP recipients in the form of a retired pay refund. Repeals the optional authority of (and instead requires) the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay an annuity to a member's dependent children when there is no eligible surviving spouse. Directs the Secretary concerned to restore annuity eligibility to a surviving spouse who earlier agreed to transfer such eligibility to a surviving child or children of a member.
Sponsor: Rep Wilson, Joe [SC-2]
Co-sponsors: 186
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 1/3/2013 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Related Bills: S 734
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A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to fraudulent representations about having received military declarations or medals.
Introduced: 1/15/2013
Sponsor: Rep Heck, Joseph J. [NV-3]
Committees: House Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 5/20/2013 Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 390 - 3 (Roll no. 161). Became Public Law No: 113-12 on 6/3/13.
Related Bills: S 210
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A bill 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 and to eliminate the phase-in period under current law with respect to such concurrent receipt.
Introduced: 1/15/2013)
Sponsor: Rep Bilirakis, Gus M. [FL-12]
Cosponsors: 81
Committees: House Armed Services; House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/15/2013 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 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. 2/4/13: referred to Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Related Bills: S 234
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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 percent 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 to chapter 61 disability retirees with less than 20 years of service, and for other purposes.
Introduced: 1/22/2013
Sponsor: Rep Bishop, Sanford D., Jr. [GA-2]
Cosponsors: 113
Committees: House Armed Services; House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/22/2013 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 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. 2/4/13: referred to Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
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A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify presumptions relating to the exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of the Republic of Vietnam, and for other purposes.
Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2013 - Includes as part of the Republic of Vietnam its territorial seas for purposes of the presumption of service connection for diseases associated with exposure by veterans to certain herbicide agents while in Vietnam.
Introduced: 2/6/2013
Sponsor: Rep Gibson, Christopher P. [NY-19]
Cosponsors: 164
Latest Major Action: 2/15/2013 Referred to House subcommittee.
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
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A bill to increase, effective as of December 1, 2013, 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.
Introduced: 2/6/2013
Sponsor: Rep Runyan, Jon [NJ-3]
Cosponsors: 51
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/6/2013 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. 4/16/13: Sub-Committee hearing held. 4/25/13: referred to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Related Bills: HR 570
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A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for annual cost-of-living adjustments 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.
Introduced: 2/6/2013
Sponsor: Rep Runyan, Jon [NJ-3]
Cosponsors: 39
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/6/2013 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. 5/21/13: reported out of Committee on Veterans Affairs. 5/21/13: Passed House. 5/22/13: Referred to Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs.
Related Bills: HR 569
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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.
Introduced: 2/13/2013
Sponsor: Rep Walz, Timothy J. [MN-1]
Cosponsors: 59
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/22/2013 Referred to House subcommittee.
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. 4/17/13: subcommittee hearings held.
Related bills: S 629
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A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a grant program and pilot program designed to improve the delivery of health care to veterans residing in rural areas, and for other purposes.
Introduced: 3/13/2013
Sponsor: Rep Gallego, Pete P. [TX-23]
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/13/2013 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. 4/2/13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
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Passed the House on October 28 of this year. That bill grants veteran status to all honorably retired Reservists. It states, a retired Reservist "entitled under such chapter to retired pay for nonregular service shall be honored as a veteran..."
Introduced: 3/25/2013
Latest Title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include a notice of disagreement form in any notice of decision issued for the denial of a benefit sought, to improve the supervision of fiduciaries of veterans under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Titus, Dina [NV-1]
Cosponsors: 9
Latest Major Action: 10/29/2013 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
House Reports: 113-130
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To direct the Secretary of Defense to review the operation of certain ships during the Vietnam Era, and for other purposes.
Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to: (1) review the logs of each Navy ship known to have operated in the waters near Vietnam during the Vietnam Era (January 9, 1962, through May 7, 1975); (2) determine, for each such ship, the date(s) so operated and its closest proximity to shore during such operation; and (3) provide such information to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA). Requires the VA Secretary to make such unclassified information publicly available.
Introduced: 4/11/2013
Sponsor: Rep Gibson, Christopher P. [NY-19]
Cosponsors: 40
Committees: House Armed Services; House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/11/2013 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 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. 4/26/13: referred to Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. 6/28/13: Subcommittee hearings held. 7/23/13: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs discharged. 7/23/2013 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged.
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A bill to require the Secretary of Defense to allow civilian employees of the Department of Defense to delay furloughs until returning from a deployment in support of accounting and recovery efforts by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command.
Introduced: 4/12/2013
Sponsor: Rep Lynch, Stephen F. [MA-8]
Cosponsors: 5
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 4/23/2013 Referred to House subcommittee.
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness.
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A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for unlimited eligibility for health care for mental illnesses for veterans of combat service during certain periods of hostilities and war.
Makes any veteran who served on active duty in a theater of combat operations during World War II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam era, the Persian Gulf War, Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom, or any other period of war after the Persian Gulf War, or in combat against a hostile force during a period of hostilities, eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for any mental illness through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), notwithstanding insufficient medical evidence to conclude that the mental illness is attributable to such service.
Introduced: 4/25/2013
Sponsor: Rep Cartwright, Matt [PA-17]
Cosponsors: 85
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/8/2013 Referred to House subcommittee.
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
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A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to eliminate the different treatment under the Survivor Benefit Plan accorded members of the reserve components who die from an injury or illness incurred or aggravated in the line of duty during inactive-duty training compared to members of the Armed Forces who die in the line of duty while on active duty.
Introduced: 4/26/2013
Sponsor: Rep Chaffetz, Jason [UT-3]
Cosponsors: 9
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 5/6/2013 Referred to House subcommittee.
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
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A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the reemployment of certain persons following absences from a position of employment for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment for certain injuries and illnesses, and for other purposes.
Introduced: 4/26/2013
Sponsor: Rep Doggett, Lloyd [TX-35]
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Cosponsors: 20
Latest Major Action: 5/8/2013 Referred to House subcommittee.
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
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A bill to ensure that the education and training provided members of the Armed Forces and veterans better assists members and veterans in obtaining civilian certifications and licenses, and for other purposes.
Introduced: 4/26/2013
Sponsor: Rep Duckworth, Tammy [IL-8]
Co-sponsors: 99
Committees: House Armed Services; House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/8/2013 Referred to House subcommittee.
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity. 6/26/2013 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Related Bills: S 700
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A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the work opportunity credit to certain recently discharged veterans, to improve the coordination of veteran job training services between the Department of Labor, the Department of Veteran Affairs, and the Department of Defense, to require transparency for Executive departments in meeting the Government-wide goals for contracting with small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, and for other purposes.
Introduced: 5/20/2013
Sponsor: Rep Schwartz, Allyson Y. [PA-13]
Cosponsors: 74
Committees: House Ways and Means; House Veterans' Affairs; House Armed Services; House Small Business; House Education and the Workforce
Latest Major Action: 5/20/2013 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs, Armed Services, Small Business, and Education and the Workforce, 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. 7/8/2013 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
Related Bills: S 140
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A bill to direct the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide assistance for individuals affected by exposure to Agent Orange, and for other purposes.
Introduced: 6/26/2013
Sponsor: Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-13]
Co-sponsors: 12
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs; House Energy and Commerce; House Foreign Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/26/2013 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Foreign Affairs, 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. 7/8/13: referred to Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
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A bill to amend the Small Business Act and title 38, United States Code to provide for a consolidated definition of a small business concern owned and controlled by veterans, and for other purposes.
Introduced: 7/31/2013
Sponsor: Rep Coffman, Mike [CO-6]
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs; House Small Business
Co-sponsors: 6
Latest Major Action: 7/31/2013 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business, 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. 8/13/13: referred to House Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
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A bill to amend MAP-21 to improve contracting opportunities for veteran-owned small business concerns, and for other purposes.
Introduced: 8/1/2013
Sponsor: Rep Fitzpatrick, Michael G. [PA-8]
Committees: House Transportation and Infrastructure; House Small Business
Cosponsors: 8
Latest Major Action: 8/2/2013 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business, 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. 8/13/2013 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
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A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance the treatment of certain small business concerns for purposes of Department of Veterans Affairs contracting goals and preferences.
Introduced: 9/12/2013
Sponsor: Rep McNerney, Jerry [CA-9]
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Co-sponsors: 6
Latest Major Action: 9/12/2013 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Related Bills: S 430
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A bill to amend the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to clarify the treatment of administrative expenses of the Department of Veterans Affairs during sequestration.
Sponsor: Rep Michaud (Maine);
Co-sponsors: 1
Status: 9/25/13, referred to House Committee on the Budget.
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A bill to Make continuing appropriations for veterans benefits in the event of a Government shutdown.
Sponsor: Rep Salmon (Arizona)
Co-sponsors: 46
Status: 10/1/13, Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
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A bill to make continuing appropriations during a Government shutdown to provide pay and allowances to members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who perform inactive-duty training during such period.
Sponsor: Rep Rogers (KY)
Cosponsors: 2
Status: 10/5/13, read 2nd time; placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders.
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A bill to amend the Pay Our Military Act to provide for continuing appropriations for defense civilian personnel (including military technicians (dual status)) and members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces performing inactive-duty training.
Sponsor: Rep Scott (GA)
Co-sponsors: 30
Status: 10/3/13, referred to House Committee on Appropriations.
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A bill to amend the Pay Our Military Act to make appropriations available to continue the payment of a death gratuity and certain other death-related compensation in the event of the death of members of the Armed Forces and certain other persons who pass away during a Government shutdown.
Sponsor: Rep Barber (AZ)
Co-sponsors: 25
Status: 10/8/13, referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
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A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide veterans service organizations with the same access to Department of Veterans Affairs facilities during the Government shutdown as such organizations had immediately prior to the shutdown, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep McNerney
Cosponsors: 9
Status: 10/11/13, referred to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.
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A bill to provide funds during the lapse of appropriations for the payment of military death gratuities and funeral and related transportation and housing expenses through the transfer of unobligated amounts in the Health Insurance Reform Implementation Fund.
Sponsor: Rep Kimgston (GA)
Co-sponsors: none
Status: 10/11/13, referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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Introduced: 11/12/2013
Sponsor: Rep Horsford, Steven A. [NV-4]
Co-sponsors: 16
Latest Major Action: 11/18/2013 Referred to House subcommittee.
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity; 12/13/13: referred to Subcommittee on Research & Technology.
Related Bills: S 6
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A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the provision of guide dogs to veterans blinded by a service-connected injury. Sponsor: Rep Amodei, Mark E. [NV-2] introduced 12/4/2013: referred to House Veterans Affairs.
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A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow the work opportunity credit to small businesses which hire individuals who are members of the Ready Reserve or National Guard, and for other purposes.) Sponsor: Rep Braley, Bruce L. [IA-1] (introduced 12/4/2013) 2 Cosponsors. 12/4/13: referred to House Ways & Means.
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A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow the work opportunity credit for hiring individuals who are veterans or members of the Ready Reserve or National Guard, to make permanent the work opportunity credit, and to expand and make permanent the employer wage credit for employees who are active duty members of the uniformed services.
Introduced: 12/4/2013
Sponsor: Rep Bustos, Cheri [IL-17]
Co-sponsor: 1
Status: 12/4/13, referred to House Ways & Means.
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A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow an increased work opportunity credit with respect to recent veterans, and for other purposes.
Introduced: 12/4/2013
Sponsor: Rep King, Peter T. [NY-2]
Co-sponsors: 5
Status: 12/11/13, Referred to Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
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A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify that caregivers for veterans with serious illnesses are eligible for assistance and support services provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Introduced: 12/5/2013
Sponsor: Rep Ruiz, Raul [CA-36]
Co-sponsor: 1
Status: 12/16/13, referred to Subcommittee on Health.
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