News and Views

House Approves Veterans Programs Supported by Lewis

            WASHINGTON – In the continuing effort to provide full support to the nation’s veterans, the House of Representatives has passed a number of important measures that will ease mortgage loan restrictions for veterans, increase compensation for those with service-related disabilities, and provide reimbursement for emergency medical care, Congressman Jerry Lewis said Friday.

            “As we celebrate Memorial Day and remember those who gave their lives to defend our nation and our freedoms, I am pleased that the House has moved quickly to provide improved services to our veterans and their families,” Lewis said. “It is fitting that we honor all of our defenders by paying a debt to those who remain with us.”

            Lewis, who has served as Chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, said eight veterans-related bills passed the House this week by a unanimous vote. They include:

• The Veterans Emergency Care Fairness Act of 2007, H.R.3819, which will require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reimburse the cost of emergency treatment in non-VA facilities for such treatment until transfer to a VA facility is possible.

• The Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2008, H.R. 5826, which will increase, effective December 1, 2008, the rates of compensation for those with service-connected disabilities, and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans.

• The Justin Bailey Veterans Substance Use Disorders Prevention and Treatment, H.R.5554, which requires the VA to greatly expand the treatments and services available to those suffering from substance use disorders.

• The VA Medical Facility Authorization and Lease Act of 2008, H.R. 5856, which authorizes major medical facility projects and major medical facility leases for VA in fiscal year 2009, and will authorize approximately $2.2 billion over the next five years to improve access to healthcare for our nation’s veterans.

• The Veterans Benefits Awareness Act of 2008, H.R. 3681, which increases the Department of Veterans Affairs outreach efforts to promote awareness of veterans’ benefits.

• The Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008, H.R. 6081, which repeals a requirement that only those who served before 1977 may qualify for loans financed by qualified veterans’ mortgage bonds issued in California . It also extends the amount of time provided for qualified service-disabled veterans to file for tax refunds or credits that are awarded after the veterans’ tax return has already been filed.

• The Let Our Veterans Rest in Peace Act of 2007, H.R. 3480, which increases sentences for any offense involving the desecration or theft of, or trafficking in, grave markers of veterans.

• A resolution, H.RES.1054, which honors the service and achievements of women in the Armed Forces and female veterans. There are 5,000 female veterans in the 41^st Congressional District, Lewis said.

            Although he was pleased that the House passed these important measures, Lewis said he was disappointed that the majority would not agree to approve the Enhancement of Recruitment, Retention, and Readjustment Through Education Act of 2008 (H.R. 5944). The bill, cosponsored by Lewis, would greatly enhance the existing Montgomery G.I. Bill of 1984 by improving educational benefits for service members, veterans, members of the National Guard and Reservists. It was offered as an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2009 Defense Department Authorization legislation, but was not approved.

            Lewis said he will continue to work to pass the legislation, which would help troops and veterans attend college nearly debt-free and let career military personnel transfer their educational benefits to their spouse or children. This legislation also improves current troop recruitment efforts and encourages continued service in the military.

            “This is a necessary and appropriate enhancement of the existing Montgomery GI Bill,” said Lewis, the senior Republican on the House Appropriations Committee. “The greatest thanks our country can give our military personnel and veterans is help towards a debt-free education.”

            “Not only will it greatly increase the benefits going towards active duty personnel, veterans, Guardsmen, and Reservists but it will also bolster the military’s recruitment and retention efforts,” said Lewis. “It thanks those who serve and encourages others to follow in their footsteps.”

            Lewis said he was pleased that the defense authorization bill does include funding for an important project to serve Marines, their families and the community around the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms.

            The Lifelong Learning Center would expand a cramped education building on the Marine base to a 17,000-square-foot modern complex, which would include a state-of-the-art library, computer center, classrooms and other infrastructure to provide up to 40 higher education classes for 1,500 students at a time, Lewis said. The congressman learned of the need for the improvement at a meeting in March with Brig. Gen. Melvin Speise, then the base commander, and local school officials in Twentynine Palms.

            “Gen. Speise expressed a commitment to ensuring that Marines, their families, and the community that supports them have the best possible opportunities for life-long education,” Lewis said. “I am delighted that the House has approved my request to authorize funding for this project, which will serve all of the people of this remote Marine community.”

            The bill authorizes the $10 million first phase of the $19 million project, which will be operated jointly by the Marine Corps and the Department of Defense Education Activity, supported by the Morongo Unified School District.

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