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MILLER APPLAUDS ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN SUPPORT OF VETERANS
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Chumuckla, Fl (October 23, 2006) - Accomplishments in support of veterans
The House increased the veterans’ budget by 18 percent in the 109th Congress: The total VA budget has increased from approximately $66 billion in FY 05 passed in the 108th Congress to approximately $78 billion in FY 07, as passed by the House. This is an increase of $12 billion.
The House increased veterans medical care funding by 16 percent in the 109th Congress: Veterans medical care funding has risen from the $27.8 billion level passed in the 108th Congress to approximately $32.3 billion in FY 07 (not including collections), as passed by the House.
VA plans to spend nearly $3 billion for mental health care in 2007: Committed to our returning OIF and OEF veterans, Congress has appropriated increased funding for their care by 6.3 percent.
Enacted the Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes Act: Legislation to prohibit demonstrations at military funerals held at National Cemeteries was signed by the President on Memorial Day. (P.L. 109-228 )
GI Bill benefits boosted 65 percent since 2001: In 2001, the GI Bill educational benefit was boosted by 46 percent, raising the lifetime benefit for qualified veterans from $23,400 to $38,700 (2006) and giving our nation’s veterans more opportunities to pursue a higher education. Chairman Buyer seeks to modernize the GI Bill to provide educational assistance to America’s reserve and National Guard units as well as returning Service members.
VA home loan guarantees have nearly doubled since 2001:In 2004, Congress increased the maximum VA home loan guarantee to $417,000, an increase of more than 70 percent from the prevailing maximum level in 2001, affording more veterans the opportunity of homeownership.
SGLI and VGLI increased to $400,000: In 2005, Congress passed and President Bush signed H.R. 3200, as amended, which increased the maximum coverage for Service members’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) and Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) to $400,000. (P.L. 109-80)
Cost-of-living-increase of 4.1% in 2006 for veterans and survivor benefits.
Historic $22 billion concurrent receipt benefit enacted: In 2003, Congress approved a historic concurrent receipt benefit for veterans that will provide over $22 billion to more than 250,000 disabled military retirees over ten years (Public Law 108-136). Since its enactment, Congress has continued to improve on this historic concurrent receipt agreement. Effective 2005, a retiree rated 100 percent service-connected is authorized to receive full concurrent receipt benefits (Public Law 108-375). Recently, Congress enacted legislation to reduce the phase-in period for those retirees rated 100 percent disabled due to unemployability from 2014 to 2009.
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