Congress takes up several bills concerning veterans and their families
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GI Bill Fairness Act ( https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/114/s602?utm_campaign=website&utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email) (S 602 and in the House, HR 1141 ( https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/114/hr1141?utm_campaign=website&utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email))
- Sponsor: Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) “Would ensure wounded Guardsmen and Reservists receive the GI Bill benefits they’ve earned,” according to the bill sponsors ( http://takano.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sens-wyden-boozman-rep-takano-introduce-bill-ensuring-equal-treatment?utm_campaign=website&utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email). “Members of the Guard or Reserve who are wounded in combat are often given orders under 10 USC 12301(h) for their recovery, treatment and rehabilitation. Unfortunately, federal law does not recognize such orders as eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill education assistance, meaning that unlike other members of the military, these members of the Guard and Reserve actually lose benefits for being injured in the line of duty. The GI Bill Fairness Act would end that unequal treatment and ensure these service members are eligible for the same GI Bill benefits as active duty members of the military.” (Read bill text ( https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/114/s602?utm_campaign=website&utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email#bill))
Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act ( https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/114/s681?utm_campaign=website&utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email) (S 681)
- Sponsor: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) “To ensure thousands of Navy veterans known as "Blue Water" vets from the Vietnam War exposed to the powerful toxin Agent Orange will be eligible to receive disability and health care benefits they have earned for diseases linked to Agent Orange exposure, according to bill sponsors ( http://www.daines.senate.gov/content/daines-gillibrand-help-thousands-blue-water-vietnam-vets-harmed-agent-orange-ignored-feds?utm_campaign=website&utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email). “During the Vietnam War, the US military sprayed approximately 20 million gallons of Agent Orange in Vietnam to remove jungle foliage. This toxic chemical had devastating effects for millions serving in Vietnam. In 1991, Congress passed a law requiring Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide presumptive coverage to Vietnam veterans with illnesses that the Institute of Medicine has directly linked to Agent Orange exposure. However, in 2002 the VA determined that it would only cover Veterans who could prove that they had orders for “boots on the ground” during the Vietnam War. This exclusion affects thousands of sailors who may have still received significant Agent Orange exposure from receiving VA benefits.” (Read bill text ( https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/114/s681?utm_campaign=website&utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email#bill))
21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act ( https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/114/s1203?utm_campaign=website&utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email) (S 1203)
- Sponsor: Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) “Comprehensive legislation designed to create a system that can withstand surges in disability claims without generating another veteran disability claims backlog,” according to the bill sponsors ( http://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=f6862ce6-d8dd-4094-8d2d-24bb8294e68e&utm_campaign=website&utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email). “Will assist and educate veterans on the benefits of submitting a completed claim and encourages the use of the resources and services available to help a veteran complete a claim.” “Institutes improvements to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) processes to increase accuracy and efficiency at the regional office level, and ensure transparency.” “Holds the government accountable and helps to ensure the claims process is a priority.” (Read bill text ( https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/114/s1203?utm_campaign=website&utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email#bill))
Charlie Morgan Military Spouses Equal Treatment Act ( https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/114/s270?utm_campaign=website&utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email) (S 270)
- Sponsor: Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) “Extending veterans benefits to same-sex couples and their families regardless of where they live,” according to the bill sponsor ( http://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/release/?id=c03a482b-f7e2-4b7b-9eb3-e0b1642deda7&utm_campaign=website&utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email). “The legislation is named after the late New Hampshire National Guard Chief Warrant Officer Charlie Morgan who passed away in 2013 after a battle with breast cancer; after her passing, Morgan’s wife and daughter were initially ineligible to receive certain survivor benefits until the Supreme Court ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act was unconstitutional. To this day, families in states where same-sex marriages are not recognized remain ineligible for certain Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits.” (Read bill text ( https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/114/s270?utm_campaign=website&utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email#bill))
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