House Bills (Pending)

Veteran House Legislation

28 June 08

Of the 6427 House bills introduced in the 110th Congress to date, following are those of interest to the non-active duty veteran community. 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

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.

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 (72). Companion Bill is S.0025. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

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.

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 (6). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

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 (45). 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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]

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

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 (12). Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

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 (16). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

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.

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 (175). 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

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]

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

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 (81). 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

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.

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 (9). 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]

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 (37). 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].

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.

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 (54). Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

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.

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 (27). Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

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 (71). Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

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 (209). 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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 (41). 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].

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.

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.

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 (126). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

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.

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.

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 (116). Companion bill S.0057. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

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 (120). 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]

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.

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 (2). Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

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.

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 (7). Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

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 (334). 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

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]

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 (8). Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

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.

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.

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 (124). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

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 (114). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

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.

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.

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 (37). 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 (9). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

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 (6). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 (57). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

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 (47). Companion bill to S.793. Status: 4/8/08 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 349. Note: For further action, see S.793 which became Public Law 110-206 on 4/28/08.

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]

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 (38). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

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 (19). Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

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 (17). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

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.

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]

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 (4). Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

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.

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.

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 (26). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

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 (18). Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.