A NEW DIRECTION FOR VETERANS & TROOPS
A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE 110th CONGRESS

starsA top priority for the new Congress has been to fulfill our commitment to honor our troops and veterans' service to the nation.

By improving veterans' health care, rebuilding our military, and strengthening benefits for our troops and military families, we are working to keep our promises to our courageous and faithful men and women in uniform.

For too long, officials in Washington have neglected our troops and veterans in a time of war.

On the battlefield, the military pledges to leave no soldier behind. As a nation, let it be our pledge that when they return home, we leave no veteran behind.

         
 
Passed By Congress
Signed
Into Law
 
STRENGTHENING VETERANS' SERVICES

Providing the largest veterans' funding increase in the 77-year history of the VA, a $6.6 billion increase in the FY 2008 budget - $3.7 billion over the President's budget

       

Strengthening quality health care for 5.8 million patients and earned benefits for all veterans.

 
 
incomplete
Focusing quality care on the 263,000 veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, particularly those with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury
 
 
incomplete
Reducing the 400,000 claim backlog and the 177 day average wait for veterans to access earned benefits by adding 1,800 new claims processors.
 
 
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Providing much-needed maintenance of VA health care facilities.
 
 
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Keeping our commitment with the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and other major veterans' groups strongly endorsing this historic legislation as a "major victory" and an "impressive commitment" to our veterans.

 
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incomplete

Addressing the immediate health care needs of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans (including mental health care and benefit claims) and restoring VA health facilities, by adding $5.2 billion in FY 2007

 
 
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STRENGTHENING BENEFITS FOR TROOPS & FAMILIES
Providing a pay raise, better military health care and family leave to care for wounded soldiers        
Giving troops a pay raise of 3.5 percent - part of which the President calls "unnecessary."
 
 
incomplete

Cleaning up the scandal of inadequate care for our wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and facilities nationwide.

 
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incomplete
Strengthening Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury care at military facilities and preventing TRICARE health care fee increases on troops. 
 
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Making progress in ending the Military Families Tax on survivor benefits and the Disabled Veterans Tax on retirement benefits for combat-related military disabled retirees.
 
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incomplete
Providing Family Medical Leave for families of soldiers wounded in combat.
 
 
VETOED
Conducting oversight on the Walter Reed Army Medical Center scandal, gaps in the DOD and VA health care systems, and excessive bonuses for top VA officials.
 
 
incomplete
       
STRENGTHENING THE AMERICAN MILITARY
Rebuilding our military readiness-at its lowest level since the Vietnam War      
Providing more Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles than the President, which are proven to save lives in Iraq.
 
 
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Creating a Strategic Reserve Readiness Fund to rapidly address military equipment shortfalls, including Army National Guard equipment.
 
 
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Ensuring more equipment, training, and body armor for our troops.
 
 
Strengthening National Guard preparedness for disaster response here at home, including providing more equipment.
 
 
Giving troops adequate time at home to reduce strain on those serving multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.     
 
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incomplete
Expanding the number of troops to meet our national security needs.     
 
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incomplete

=Complete=Incomplete

Click here for a .pdf of the Progress Report>>