11/11/13: 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.
- History 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. The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m. 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)
Bills Related to Veterans Day
Weigh in on these bills that have been introduced related to veterans.
Honoring Veterans
- HR 3368Veterans Day Off Act: To require employers to provide time off on Veterans Day. — Just Introduced —
- HR 154Veterans Medal For Distinguished Public Service: To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a Department of Veterans Affairs Medal for Distinguished Public Service to honor veterans who make remarkable and distinguished contributions to their communities.
- HR 111Filipino Veterans Of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act: To award a Congressional gold medal, collectively, to the Filipino Veterans of World War II, in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II.
- HRes 32 A resolution: Expressing support for the designation of the Friday after Thanksgiving as the National Day of Recognition for Veterans’ Families.
- S 409A bill to add Vietnam Veterans Day as a patriotic and national observance.
- HR 318A bill to authorize a Wall of Remembrance as part of the Korean War Veterans Memorial and to allow certain private contributions to fund that Wall of Remembrance.
- HRes 138A resolution expressing support for designation of a “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day”.
Veterans Employment
- HR 3442 Jobs for Veterans Clearinghouse Act: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make grants to eligible non-profit entities to establish clearinghouses for local information about employment opportunities and services for veterans. — Just Introduced —
- HR 3395 VOW to Hire Heroes Extension Act: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the work opportunity credit for hiring veterans. (And S 1624 in the Senate.) — Just Introduced —
- S 430Veterans Small Business Opportunity and Protection Act: to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance treatment of certain small business concerns for purposes of Department of Veterans Affairs contracting goals and preferences.
- S 6Putting Our Veterans Back To Work Act: to reauthorize the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, to provide assistance to small businesses owned by veterans, to improve enforcement of employment and reemployment rights of members of the uniformed services.
- S 778A Bill: to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to issue cards to veterans that identify them as veterans and to work with national retail chains that offer veterans reduced prices on pharmaceutical and consumer products to ensure that such chains recognize the above cards when offering such prices.
- S 495Careers for Veterans Act: to amend title 38, United States Code, to require Federal agencies to hire veterans, to require States to recognize the military experience of veterans when issuing licenses and credentials to veterans
- HR 1357A bill: To amend the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 to improve the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program by providing assistance under such program for certain training programs that are considered less than full-time.
- HR 1316A Bill:To amend title 38, United States Code, to specify the responsibilities of the Directors and Assistant Directors of Veterans’ Employment and Training.
Veterans Education
- HR 3399Veterans Education Counseling Act: To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain clarifications and improvements in the academic and vocational counseling programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. — Just Introduced —
- HR 3384Veterans' Entry to Apprenticeship Act: To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that veterans may attend pre-apprenticeship programs using certain educational assistance provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. — Just Introduced —
- HR 179Franchise Education for Veterans Act: To amend title 38, United States Code, to allow certain veterans to use educational assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs for franchise training.
- S 514A bill: to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide additional educational assistance under Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to veterans pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering, math, or an area that leads to employment in a high-demand occupation.
- HR 331A Bill: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to permit the centralized reporting of veteran enrollment by certain groups, districts, and consortiums of educational institutions.
- HR 595Veterans Education Equity Act: To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide equity for tuition and fees for individuals entitled to educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs who are pursuing programs of education at institutions of higher learning. (And S 262 in the Senate.)
- HR 3056Warriors’ Peer-Outreach Pilot Program Act: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program on the provision of outreach and support services to veterans pursuing higher education under the Post 9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Veterans Health
- S 1581Survivors of Military Sexual Assault and Domestic Abuse Act: to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide counseling and treatment for sexual trauma to members of the Armed Forces, to require the Secretary to screen veterans for domestic abuse, to require the Secretary to submit reports on military sexual trauma and domestic abuse. — Just Introduced —
- S 1583Mental Health Support for Veteran Families and Caregivers Act: to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct an education program and peer support program for the education and training of family members and caregivers of veterans with mental health disorders. — Just Introduced —
- S 1588A Bill: to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand eligibility for reimbursement for emergency medical treatment to certain veterans that were unable to receive care from the Department of Veterans Affairs in the 24-month period preceding the furnishing of such emergency treatment. — Just Introduced —
- S 1602Toxic Exposure Research and Military Family Support Act: to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs a national center for the diagnosis, treatment, and research of health conditions of the descendants of veterans exposed to toxic substances during service in the Armed Forces, to provide certain services to those descendants, to establish an advisory board on exposure to toxic substances. — Just Introduced —
- HR 3387Classified Veterans Access to Care Act: To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the mental health treatment provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to veterans who served in classified missions. — Just Introduced —
- S 1586Enhanced Dental Care for Veterans Act: to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve dental health care for veterans. — Just Introduced —
- S 1604Veterans Health Care Eligibility Expansion and Enhancement Act: to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand and enhance eligibility for health care and services through the Department of Veterans Affairs. — Just Introduced —
- S 1578A Bill: to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to cover the costs associated with the care of veterans at medical foster homes. — Just Introduced —
- S 131Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvements Act: to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the reproductive assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to severely wounded, ill, or injured veterans and their spouses.(And HR 958 in the House.)
- HR 2510 Veterans Exposed To Toxic Chemicals: To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish within the Department of Defense centers of excellence in the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of health conditions relating to exposure to open burn pits.
- HR 241 Veterans Timely Access To Healthcare act: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish standards of access to care for veterans seeking health care from Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities.
- HR 543 Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act: This bill includes as part of the Republic of Vietnam its territorial seas for purposes of the presumption of service connection for diseases associated with exposure by veterans to certain herbicide agents while in Vietnam.
- HR 257Veterans Health Equity Plan: To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that veterans in each of the 48 contiguous States are able to receive services in at least one full-service hospital of the Veterans Health Administration in the State or receive comparable services provided by contract in the State.(And S 49 in the Senate.)
- S 422Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act: to amend the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act of 2001 and title 38, United States Code, to require the provision of chiropractic care and services to veterans at all Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers and to expand access to such care and services (And HR 921 in the House.)
- HR 834Veterans’ Efficiencies Through Savings Act: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct cost-benefit analyses for the provision of medical care by the Department of Veterans Affairs in certain geographic areas served by multiple Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities.
- HR 1134A Bill: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a grant program and pilot program designed to improve the delivery of health care to veterans residing in rural areas.
- HR 2063A Bill: To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the health care provided to veterans of World War II at facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Veterans Homelessness and Housing
- S 1580Ensuring Safe Shelter for Homeless Veterans Act: to amend title 38, United States Code, to require recipients of per diem payments from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the provision of services for homeless veterans to comply with codes relevant to operations and level of care provided. — Just Introduced —
- HR 3422Veterans Homebuyer Accessibility Act: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit for veteran first-time homebuyers and for adaptive housing and mobility improvements for disabled veterans. — Just Introduced —
- S 62Check the Box for Homeless Veterans Act: to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow taxpayers to designate overpayments of tax as contributions and to make additional contributions to the Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund
- S 287Helping Homeless Veterans Act: to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the definition of homeless veteran for purposes of benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (And HR 897 in the House.)
- HR 825Vulnerable Veterans Housing Reform Act: To exclude from consideration as income under the United States Housing Act of 1937 payments of pension made under section 1521 of title 38, United States Code, to veterans who are in need of regular aid and attendance.
- HR 1305A Bill: To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide clarification regarding eligibility for services under the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program.
- HR 1885Veterans Home Loan Refinance Opportunity Act: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow eligible veterans to use qualified veterans mortgage bonds to refinance home loans
Disabled Veterans
- S 1584Veterans Homebuyer Accessibility Act: to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide replacement automobiles for certain disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces. — Just Introduced —
- HR 3383Caregivers Expansion and Improvement Act: To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend to all veterans with a serious service-connected injury eligibility to participate in the family caregiver services program. — Just Introduced —
- HR 3443Streamlining Support for Veterans and Military Caregivers Act: To amend titles 38 and 37, United States Code, to expand eligibility for certain caregiver services provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and to modify the Department of Defense special compensation program to make eligible members of the uniformed services with serious injuries or illnesses and to exempt payments of such compensation from taxation. — Just Introduced —
- HR 164 A Bill: To amend title 10, United States Code, to permit veterans who have a service-connected, permanent disability rated as total to travel on military aircraft in the same manner and to the same extent as retired members of the Armed Forces entitled to such travel. (And S 346 in the Senate.)
- HR 333Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act: To amend title 10, United States Code, to permit retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability rated less than 50 percent to receive concurrent payment of botHRetired pay and veterans’ disability compensation, to eliminate the phase-in period for concurrent receipt, to extend eligibility for concurrent receipt to chapter 61 disability retirees with less than 20 years of service and requires a limited reduction in retired pay for qualified disability retirees with less than 20 years of retirement-creditable service.
- HR 183Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act: This bill directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program for assessing the effectiveness of addressing post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms through a therapeutic medium of service dog training and handling for veterans with disabilities.
- HR 369Reducing Barriers to Veterans’ Benefits Act: To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a presumption of service connection for certain veterans with tinnitus or hearing loss.
- HR 569Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act: Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase, as of December 1, 2013, the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Requires each such increase to be the same percentage as the increase in benefits provided under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act.
- S 140Honoring Promises to Service-Disabled Veterans Act: to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the work opportunity credit to certain recently discharged veterans, to improve the coordination of veteran job training services between the Department of Labor, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Defense, to require transparency for Executive departments in meeting the Government-wide goals for contracting with small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans
- HR 1284Veterans Medical Access Act:To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for coverage under the beneficiary travel program of the Department of Veterans Affairs of certain disabled veterans for travel for certain special disabilities rehabilitation (And S 633 in the Senate.)
Veterans and Firearms
- HR 577 Veterans Second Amendment Program: To amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the conditions under which certain persons may be treated as adjudicated mentally incompetent for certain purposes. (And HR 602 in the House, S 572 in Senate.)
- HR 449 Veterans Heritage Firearms Act: To provide an amnesty period during which veterans and their family members can register certain firearms in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
Other Bills
- HR 3408A Bill:To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to educate certain staff of the Department of Veterans Affairs and to inform veterans about the Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights. — Just Introduced —
- HR 966Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act:To exempt children of certain Filipino World War II veterans from the numerical limitations on immigrant visas (And S 461 in the Senate.)
- HR 153Veterans Outreach Improvement Act: To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the outreach activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to state or county veterans agencies for state and local outreach services.
- HR 733Access to Veterans Benefits Improvement Act: To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide certain employees of Members of Congress and certain employees of State or local governmental agencies with access to case-tracking information of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- HR 1759A Bill: To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress quarterly reports on the timeliness in which the Department of Veterans Affairs receives certain information from other departments or agencies of the United States.
- HR 1372A Bill: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a registry of certain veterans who were stationed at or underwent training at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, New Brunswick, Canada.
- S 1262Veterans Conservation Corps Act: to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a veterans conservation corps.
- HR 3007A Bill: To amend title 38, United States Code, to require States to recognize the military experience of veterans when issuing licenses and credentials to veterans. (And S 492 in the Senate.)
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.
