September 23, 2008

House Approves Veterans’ Measures

For more information, contact: Brian Lawrence, (202) 225-3527

Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, the House of Representatives approved a veterans’ benefits package and a resolution commemorating the Honor Flight Network.

S. 1315, the Veterans’ Benefits Enhancement Act of 2008, passed the Senate on April 24, 2008.  The original version of the bill contained a provision that would have overturned a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in the case of Hartness vs. Nicholson, the result of which would have eliminated a special pension benefit for certain wartime veterans who are severely disabled, elderly, and poor. The savings from overturning Hartness would have been used to provide additional benefits for certain World War II Filipino. The House amended S. 1315 to eliminate the controversial provision, along with all the other provisions in the bill that the savings would have funded. The bill passed by voice vote.  

“I am pleased that this detrimental provision that would have impacted our most vulnerable veterans has been removed from the bill,” said Representative Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.). “What remains is a bill that is a compilation of numerous veteran benefit provisions.  Among these, it would ensure that severely disabled service-members can receive structural alterations to their homes prior to discharge from active duty.  Right now, even if they know they are going to be discharged, they must wait until discharge to receive this very necessary housing benefit. It would also expand servicemembers’ insurance to cover certain members of the Individual Ready Reserve for the first time, and it would allow the termination or suspension of cellular telephone contracts upon the request of servicemembers undergoing deployment outside the .”

“I am pleased that this legislation improves an array of veterans’ benefits and services. These heroes have sacrificed so much for our nation’s freedom, and we must ensure their needs are being met.”

H. Res. 1287, a resolution, introduced by Representative Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), commending the Honor Flight Network, also passed by voice vote. The Honor Flight Network is a nonprofit organization established in 2004 by Earl Morse, a Physician Assistant and Retired Air Force Captain.  Its sole purpose is to fly World War II veterans to our Nation’s capital to see the World War II Memorial created in their honor.

“The Honor Flight Network has flown more than 800 World War II veterans to the memorial.” Stearns said. “My office has had the pleasure of arranging three of these special honor flights for WWII veterans, and I know first hand what a meaningful experience they provide. The Honor Flight Network relies on support from volunteers and the funding from donors. These individuals help us to honor our veterans for all they have sacrificed to make this a better world.” 

 

For more news from House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Republicans, please go to:

http://republicans.veterans.house.gov   

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