September 15, 2010
Veterans Committee Approves Legislation; Buyer Helps Disabled Veteran Entrepreneurs/ Boozman Protects Veterans’ Gun Rights
For more information, contact: Brian Lawrence, 202-225-3527
Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs approved the following measures and reported them favorably to the House for consideration:
Ranking Member Steve Buyer offered two amendments to H.R. 5360, both of which were unanimously approved by voice vote. The first would reauthorize a disabled veteran entrepreneurs’ small business loan guaranty program that expired in 1986, and allow VA to contract with an entity to run the program to provide services to veteran entrepreneurs.
Ranking Member Buyer’s second amendment would authorize VA to provide a small monthly stipend for a period no longer than 24 months for disabled veterans who teach in rural underserved areas; provide an internship program for veterans in the VR&E program; and change the sole source contracting authority for small disabled veteran owned business program from a “may” authority to a “shall” authority.
“I am grateful for my colleagues’ support for these amendments which will provide jobs and job training to disabled veterans,” Buyer said. “They will also expand federal contracting opportunities for disabled veterans owned small businesses.”
Two Republican members of the committee offered amendments to a draft bill, both of which were unanimously approved by voice vote. Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Ranking Member John Boozman’s amendment would protect veterans’ Constitutional rights and due process under the 2nd Amendment.
“This is a simple amendment designed to address an ongoing issue that has been depriving many veterans’ due process and their Constitutional Rights,” Boozman said. “Recently, a disabled veteran in my district was stripped of his 2nd Amendment rights. He never received a determination from a doctor, judge, or any other qualified agent as required by law, that he was a threat to himself or his community. Rather, it was a faceless, nameless bureaucrat who relieved this Purple Heart recipient of his 2nd Amendment right, as well as his right to due process.”
“Currently, veterans determined by VA to be unable to manage their financial affairs are reported to the FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) as ‘mental defectives’ and prevented from purchasing firearms. My amendment would require a judicial authority, not a VA claims processer, to determine that a VA beneficiary poses a danger to themselves or others before the VA may send their names to the FBI.”
“Since 1999 over 116,000 veterans, their spouses, and their children who receive VA benefits have been reported to NICS as mental defectives without a judicial determination, thus stripping them of their constitutional rights simply because VA appointed a financial fiduciary to act on their behalf.”
Subcommittee on Health Ranking Member Henry Brown’s amendment would increase the Medal of Honor special pension from $1,194 to $2000.
“As the highest military award given by the United States, the Medal of Honor is only earned by those who have shown conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty, in actual combat against an armed enemy force,” Brown said.
“Each and every one of these soldiers would tell you they were just doing their duty, but they deserve recognition from a grateful nation for their extraordinary actions. Although they would not ask for such a token, I believe this increase in the amount of the pension, which has not risen since 1998, better shows them our gratitude.”
H.R. 3658, introduced by Deputy Ranking Member Cliff Stearns, would require VA to include on its main internet website page a hyperlink to the VetSuccess Internet website.
“Unemployment is at a record high today and unemployment in our veteran community is higher than at any time that I can remember,” Stearns said. “My bill would require VA to have a drop-down menu titled “Veterans Employment” on its homepage to provide links to VetSuccess, USA Jobs, Job Central and other appropriate employment websites. It would also require the Secretary of VA to advertise and promote the VetSuccess website and require direct outreach to OIF and OEF veterans.
H.R. 5630, introduced by Congressman Boozman, wouldprovide for qualifications for VA vocational rehabilitation counselors and employment coordinators.
The Veterans Benefits and Economic Welfare Improvement Act of 2010, as amended, is a draft bill that includes provisions to establish a transition program for new veterans and improve the disability claims system. It incorporates H.R. 929, as amended, H.R. 4541, as amended, H.R. 5064, H.R. 5484, and H.R. 5549.
H.R. 5360, as amended, wouldmodify the standard of visual acuity required for eligibility for specially adapted housing assistance provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
H.R. 3787, as amended, wouldrecognize the service in the reserve components of certain persons by honoring them with the status as veterans under the law.
H.R. 5939,as amended, would ensure that beneficiaries of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance receive financial counseling and disclosure information regarding life insurance payments, and for other purposes.
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