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Articles Tagged veterans,

1. Issue Spotlight: Veterans Day

   by rachna on November 11, 2012

   An armistice to stop fighting during World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. The following year, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day, and in 1938, the day became a federal holiday. In 1954, after World War II's historic mobilization of our armed forces and the Korean war, Congress changed "Armistice Day" to honor all veterans. (Learn more)

   In honor of Veterans Day, Nov. 11, POPVOX is spotlighting veterans legislation. We hope you will take a moment to review this partial list of veterans bills (divided by issue areas) and weigh in. POPVOX will deliver your comments to your Members of Congress. And for those of you who are veterans, thank you for your service to our country.

   Honoring Veterans

   • HR 6464 Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to accept certain documents as proof of service in determining the eligibility of an individual to receive amounts from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.-- Recently introduced!
   • HR 1025 The Honor America's Guard and Reserve Retirees Act (and S 491) recognizes the service in the reserve components of certain persons by honoring them with status as veterans under law.
   • HR 319 The Veterans Day Off Act requires employers to provide veterans with time off on Veterans Day.
   • S 402 The Cold War Service Medal Act (and HR 1968) awards military service medals for having served honorably during the Cold War.

   Veterans Employment

   • HR 6401 Requires the Secretary of Labor to carry out a pilot program on providing veterans with access at One-Stop Centers to Internet websites to facilitate online job searches.-- Recently introduced!
   • HR 6563 The Veterans Jobs Corps Act requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a veterans jobs corps.-- Recently introduced!
   • S 3235 The Helping Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Return to Employment at Home Act requires, as a condition on the receipt by a State of certain funds for veterans employment and training, that the State ensures that training received by a veteran while on active duty is taken into consideration in granting certain State certifications or licenses.-- Recently introduced!
   • HR 2433 The Veterans Opportunity to Work Act makes certain improvements in the laws relating to the employment and training of veterans.
   • HR 1941 The Hiring Heroes Act (and S 951) improves the provision of Federal transition, rehabilitation, vocational, and unemployment benefits to members of the Armed Forces and veterans.

   Veterans Education

   • HR 6101 The Student Veteran Academic Counseling Enhancement Act improves educational counseling opportunities for veterans.-- Recently introduced!
   • HR 4140 The Restore the Promise GI Bill eliminates the time limitation for use of eligibility and entitlement to educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill.
   • S 3503 To improve the provision of work-study allowances by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to individuals who are pursuing programs of rehabilitation, education, or training under laws administered by the Secretary.-- Recently introduced!
   • S 745 S 745 protects certain veterans who would otherwise be subject to a reduction in educational assistance benefits.

   Veterans Health

   • S 3340 The Mental Health ACCESS Act improves the programs and activities of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding suicide prevention and resilience and behavioral health disorders for members of the Armed Forces and veterans.-- Recently introduced!
   • HR 6527 The Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvements Act improves the assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to women veterans, to improve health care furnished by the Department.-- Recently introduced!
   • HR 6574 The Servicemember Mental Health Review Act requires a review of the separation of members of the Armed Forces on the basis of a mental condition not amounting to disability, including separation on the basis of a personality or adjustment disorder.-- Recently introduced!
   • HR 6580 The Veterans Dental and Vision Benefits Act allows veterans who receive health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs to be eligible for supplemental dental and vision insurance under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. -- Recently introduced!
   • HR 198 The Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act directs the V.A. to carry out a pilot program on dog training therapy.
   • HR 396 The TBI Treatment Act creates a pilot program to make payments for traumatic brain injury treatment.
   • HR 2052 The Fort McClellan Health Registry Act directs the V.A. to establish a registry of certain veterans who were stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama.
   • HR 329 The Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act provides chiropractic care and services to veterans at all V.A. medical centers.
   • HR 2074 The Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention and Health Care Enhancement Act requires a comprehensive policy on reporting and tracking sexual assault incidents that occur at V.A. medical facilities and improves rehabilitative services for veterans with traumatic brain injury.
   • S 1689 The Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention Act requires a comprehensive policy on reporting sexual assault incidents that occur at V.A. medical facilities.
   • HR 930 HR 930 improves the disability compensation evaluation procedure for veterans related to military sexual trauma.

   Veterans Homelessness and Housing

   • HR 5999 The Housing for Blinded Veterans Act improves the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide specially adapted housing assistance to blind veterans.-- Recently introduced!
   • S 3349 The Zero Tolerance for Veterans Homelessness Act enhances and expands the assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness.-- Recently introduced!
   • S 3614 And HR 6381 The Housing Assistance for Veterans Act (HAVEN Act) establishes a pilot program to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to nonprofit organizations to rehabilitate and modify homes of disabled and low-income veterans.-- Recently introduced!
   • S 3323 The Military Family Home Protection Act improves the protections for servicemembers against mortgage foreclosures.-- Recently introduced!
   • S 1148 The Veterans Programs Improvement Act improves the provision of assistance to homeless veterans and the regulation of fiduciaries who represent individuals for purposes of receiving benefits under laws administered by the V.A.
   • HR 287 The Homes for Heroes provides housing assistance for very low-income veterans.

   Other Veterans Bills

   • S 1707 The Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act clarifies the conditions under which certain persons may be treated as adjudicated mentally incompetent for certain purposes.
   • HR 2985 The Veteran’s I.D. Card Act directs the V.A. to issue, upon request, veteran identification cards to certain veterans.
   • HR 1484 The Veterans Appeals Improvement Act improves the V.A. appeals process.

   Recognizing Vietnam Veterans

   This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, in which more than 58,000 service members lost their lives.

   • S 2255 Adds Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day as a patriotic and National observance.
   • H Res 601 Expresses support for designation of a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.
   • S 1629 The Agent Orange Equity Act clarifies presumptions relating to the exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of the Republic of Vietnam.
   • HR 3612 The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act clarifies presumptions relating to the exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of the Republic of Vietnam.
   • HR 2634 The Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act provides assistance for certain individuals affected by exposure to Agent Orange and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enhance the availability of medical care for descendants of veterans of the Vietnam era.
   • S 873 Provides benefits for children with spina bifida of veterans exposed to herbicides while serving in the Armed Forces during the Vietnam era outside Vietnam.

   Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

2. Issue Spotlight: Memorial Day

   by rachna on May 28, 2012

   This Memorial Day, we recognize the men and women who have served and sacrificed for our country. Since this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, POPVOX is spotlighting bills related to Memorial Day and Vietnam veterans in particular. And for those of you who are veterans, we sincerely thank you for your service.

   Issue Spotlight: Memorial Day

   • HR 5735 Establishes a Tomb of Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery for interment of cremated fragments of the remains of members of the Armed Forces killed in Afghanistan, Iraq, or a subsequent conflict when the fragments are unidentifiable by use of DNA testing.
   • HCR 45 Honoring the service and sacrifice of members of the United States Armed Forces who are serving in, or have served in, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn.
   • HR 1591 The Sanctity of Eternal Rest for Veterans Act guarantees that military funerals are conducted with dignity and respect.
   • HR 1497 Directs the Secretary of Defense to take whatever steps may be necessary to exhume and transfer the remains of certain deceased members of the Armed Forces buried in Tripoli, Libya (and S 1822).
   • HR 3767 Grants the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the First Special Service Force, in recognition of its superior service during World War II.
   • HR 2051 The Veterans Missing in America Act directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to assist in the identification of unclaimed and abandoned human remains to determine if any such remains are eligible for burial in a national cemetery.
   • HR 1980 The Gold Star Mothers National Monument Act authorizes the Gold Star Mothers National Monument Foundation to establish a national monument in the District of Columbia.
   • HR 1457 The William Shemin Jewish World War I Veterans Act directs the Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of the Navy to conduct a review of military service records of Jewish American veterans of World War I, including those previously awarded a military decoration, to determine whether any of the veterans should be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor (and S 1727).
   • HRes 618 Expressing support for designation of 2012-2013 as the “Year of the Korean War Veteran” and recognizing the 60th anniversary of Korean War.
   • S 402 The Cold War Service Medal Act recognizes members of the Armed Forces who served honorably during the Cold War (and HR 1968).
   • HR 1559 Authorizes the Benjamin Harrison Society to establish a memorial in the District of Columbia to honor the patriots of the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.

   Recognizing Vietnam Veterans

   This Memorial Day marks the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, in which more than 58,000 service members lost their lives. In January 1962, the U.S. Army began one of the first operations in Vietnam.

   • S 2255 Adds Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day as a patriotic and National observance.
   • H Res 601 Expresses support for designation of a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.

   See more bills related to Vietnam Veterans.

   See previous Issue Spotlights.

   Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

3. Issue Spotlight: Vietnam Veterans Day

   by rachna on March 30, 2012

   Yesterday, President Obama signed a proclamation declaring March 29 as "Vietnam Veterans Day." The last American troops left Vietnam on March 29, 1973. (Read the President's proclamation.)

   In honor of Vietnam Veterans Day, POPVOX is spotlighting bills related to Vietnam veterans. We hope you'll weigh in on these bills on POPVOX and share the list with your friends and networks. And for those of you who are veterans, thank you for your service.

   Issue Spotlight: Vietnam Veterans Day

   • S 2255 Adds Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day as a patriotic and National observance.
   • H Res 601 Expresses support for designation of a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.
   • S 1629 The Agent Orange Equity Act clarifies presumptions relating to the exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of the Republic of Vietnam.
   • HR 3612 The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act clarifies presumptions relating to the exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of the Republic of Vietnam.
   • HR 2634 The Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act provides assistance for certain individuals affected by exposure to Agent Orange and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enhance the availability of medical care for descendants of veterans of the Vietnam era.
   • S 873 Provides benefits for children with spina bifida of veterans exposed to herbicides while serving in the Armed Forces during the Vietnam era outside Vietnam.

   See other Issue Spotlights.

   Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

4. Weekly Bill Round Up: Week of 12/27

   by rachna on January 3, 2012

   Happy New Year! Congress isn't in session, but here's what caught the attention of the POPVOX team and POPVOXnation this past week. Have a bill you'd like spotlighted on POPVOX's Bill Page? Send me an email at rachna@popvox.com

   Round Up: Week of 12/27

   • HR 3758 The Social Security Safety Dividend Act ensures that seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities who receive Social Security and certain other Federal benefits receive a $250 payment in the event that no cost-of-living adjustment is payable in a calendar year. (Just introduced.)
   • HR 3755 The Freedom to Mourn in Peace Act prohibits demonstrations at places of mourning during a funeral, memorial service, or other bereavement ceremony honoring a deceased veteran. (Just introduced.)
   • HR 3738 HR 3738 increases from 1 to 2 years the post employment restrictions on Members of the House of Representatives. (Just introduced.)
   • HR 3761 The Support and Defend Our Military Personnel and their Families Act allows active duty soldiers and veterans who serve honorably to expedite the citizenship of their family members. (Just introduced.)
   • HR 3753 The Fairness in Restrooms Existing in Stations (FIRE Stations) Act establishes a grant program to encourage fire stations to establish or upgrade restroom, shower and changing facilities to create more equitable conditions for women firefighters. (Just introduced.)
   • HR 3748 The America RISING Act establishes a grant program for stipends to assist in the cost of compensation paid by employers to certain recent college graduates and to provide funding for their further education in subjects relating to mathematics, science, engineering, and technology. (Just introduced.)

   Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

5. Issue Spotlight: Honoring Veterans Day

   by rachna on November 9, 2011

   In honor of Veterans Day, Nov. 11, POPVOX is spotlighting veterans legislation. We hope you will take a moment to review this list of bills (it’s divided by issue areas) and weigh in. POPVOX will deliver your comments to your Members of Congress.

   Veterans Employment

   • HR 2433 The Veterans Opportunity to Work Act makes certain improvements in the laws relating to the employment and training of veterans
   • S 745 S 745 protects certain veterans who would otherwise be subject to a reduction in educational assistance benefits
   • HR 1941 The Hiring Heroes Act (and S 951) improves the provision of Federal transition, rehabilitation, vocational, and unemployment benefits to members of the Armed Forces and veterans

   Honoring Veterans

   • S 402 The Cold War Service Medal Act (and HR 1968) awards military service medals for having served honorably during the Cold War
   • HRes 184 H.Res. 184 expresses support for a designation of a “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day”
   • HR 1025 The Honor America's Guard and Reserve Retirees Act (and S 491) recognizes the service in the reserve components of certain persons by honoring them with status as veterans under law

   Veterans Health

   • HR 198 The Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act directs the V.A. to carry out a pilot program on dog training therapy
   • HR 396 The TBI Treatment Act creates a pilot program to make payments for traumatic brain injury treatment
   • HR 2052 The Fort McClellan Health Registry Act directs the V.A. to establish a registry of certain veterans who were stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama
   • S 1629 The Agent Orange Equity Act (and HR 812) clarifies presumptions relating to the exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of Vietnam
   • HR 814 The Medicare VA Reimbursement Act provides Medicare payments to V.A. medical facilities for items and services provided to Medicare-eligible veterans for non-service-connected conditions
   • HR 329 The Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act provides chiropractic care and services to veterans at all V.A. medical centers
   • S 277 The Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act furnishes hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to veterans who were stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC, while the water was contaminated there
   • HR 1742 The Janey Ensminger Act establishes a presumption of service connection for illnesses associated with contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune, NC, and provides health care to family members of veterans who lived there while the water was contaminated
   • HR 2074 The Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention and Health Care Enhancement Act requires a comprehensive policy on reporting and tracking sexual assault incidents that occur at V.A. medical facilities and improves rehabilitative services for veterans with traumatic brain injury
   • S 1689 The Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention Act requires a comprehensive policy on reporting sexual assault incidents that occur at V.A. medical facilities
   • HR 930 HR 930 improves the disability compensation evaluation procedure for veterans related to military sexual trauma

   Veterans Homelessness

   • S 1148 The Veterans Programs Improvement Act improves the provision of assistance to homeless veterans and the regulation of fiduciaries who represent individuals for purposes of receiving benefits under laws administered by the V.A.
   • HR 287 The Homes for Heroes provides housing assistance for very low-income veterans

   Other Veterans Bills

   • S 1707 The Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act clarifies the conditions under which certain persons may be treated as adjudicated mentally incompetent for certain purposes
   • HR 2985 The Veteran’s I.D. Card Act directs the V.A. to issue, upon request, veteran identification cards to certain veterans
   • HR 1484 The Veterans Appeals Improvement Act improves the V.A. appeals process

   Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

6. Issue Spotlight: Veterans' Unemployment

   by rachna on September 25, 2011

   A POPVOX user alerted me to some new unemployment statistics:  The unemployment rate for Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans was 12.4 percent in July 2011 ( source ).

   So we're highlighting legislation related to veterans and employment. We hope you voice your point of view on these bills and share them with your friends, family and networks.

   • The Veterans Opportunity to Work Act (HR 2433) improves the employment and training of veterans; improves the Transition Assistance Program; gives governors the option of using up to 25% of the funding for direct training services for veterans; and strengthens USERRA protections. (Passed through House Committee.)
   • The Hiring Heroes Act (HR 1941 and S 951 ) improves the provision of Federal transition, rehabilitation, vocational, and unemployment benefits to members of the Armed Forces and veterans. (Passed through Senate Committee.)
   • The  Hire A Hero Act (S 367 and  HR 743 ) amends the tax code to allow the work opportunity credit to small businesses which hire individuals who are members of the Ready Reserve or National Guard
   • The Help Veterans Own Franchises Act (HR 2888 and S 1540 ) allows tax credits for the establishment of franchises with veterans
   • The Tax Credit to Hire Veterans Act (HR 2443) amends the tax code to increase the amount of depreciable business assets that an eligible small business can expense (i.e., deduct in the same taxable year) if such business employs certain unemployed veterans
   • HR 2046 ensures that members of the Armed Forces who are being separated from active duty receive comprehensive employment assistance, job training assistance, and other transitional services
   • The  Post 9/11 Troops to Teachers Enhancement Act (HR 1947) amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow members of the Armed Forces who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001, to be eligible to participate in the Troops-to-Teachers Program
   • The  Jobs for Veterans Act (HR 1312) amends the tax code to allow an increased work opportunity credit with respect to recent veterans
   • The Veteran Employment Transition Act (HR 865) amends the tax code to extend the work opportunity credit to certain recently discharged veterans

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   About Issue Spotlights on POPVOX

   From time to time, we like to send POPVOX users an update of new bills by issue area. As in this example, if you weighed in on a bill about firearms, then you might receive an email from me alerting you to other firearms bills. (Full disclosure: while I think this idea is brilliant, it isn't mine. It was suggested by several POPVOX users -- so keep the suggestions coming!) I'll be posting these issue suggestions here, in addition to my bill picks for the day (as I explained in  an earlier post ).

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   Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn’t imply an endorsement in any way. Rather, we’re simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system. (Another way is to check out the “Trending Bills of the Week” .) As always, thanks for using POPVOX and I hope you stay in touch with us on Facebook or Twitter . If you'd these issue spotlights and other bill updates from POPVOX delivered to you via email, get started here to subscribe.

   

7. Entrepreneur Magazine--They've Got Your Backers

   by annalee on September 1, 2011

   They've Got Your Backers in Entrepreneur Magazine