Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 10/24/2007 - Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

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A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a program for the provision of readjustment and mental health services to veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and for other purposes. 5/23/2007--Introduced. Veterans' Mental Health Outreach and Access Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a program to provide to veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, particularly veterans who served in such Operations while in the National Guard and reserves: (1) peer outreach and support services; (2) readjustment counseling and related services; and (3) mental health services. Directs the Secretary to also provide to immediate family members of such veterans, during the three-year period following the return of the veterans from such a deployment, education, support, counseling, and mental health services to assist in: (1) readjustment to civilian life; (2) recovery from an injury [...]

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Latest Action: 01/31/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Bill Text
Expressing support for the designation and goals of "Hire a Veteran Week" and encouraging the President to issue a proclamation supporting those goals.

1/31/2007--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Recognizes the importance of the men and women who have served or who currently serve in the Armed Forces of the United States.

Supports the designation of an appropriate week as Hire a Veteran Week.

Encourages the President to issue a proclamation calling upon employers, labor organizations, veterans service organizations, and federal, state, and local governmental agencies to lend their support to increase employment of the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces.

Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

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To establish the American Veterans Congressional Internship Program.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Establishes the American Veterans Congressional Internship Program, under which each Member of the House of Representatives may hire for a maximum 12-month period, one additional employee who meets specified eligibility criteria to serve as the American Veteran Congressional Intern.

Provides that such employment by a Member and the payment of the Intern's salary shall be in addition to all personnel and allowances otherwise made available to Members under other provisions of law, rule, or other authority.

Latest Action: 08/02/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10781)

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A bill to amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, to improve benefits and services for members of the Armed Forces, veterans of the Global War on Terrorism, and other veterans, to require reports on the effects of the Global War on Terrorism, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Lane Evans Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act of 2007 - Makes a veteran who served on active duty during a period of war eligible for a mental health evaluation and hospital care, medical services, nursing home care, and family and marital counseling for any identified mental health condition, notwithstanding insufficient medical evidence to conclude that the condition is attributable to such service. Requires: (1) post-deployment medical and mental health screenings to be conducted within 30 days after a deployment; (2) each member, upon discharge, to be provided an electronic copy of all military records of such member; and (3) the Secretary of Defense to ensure appropriate [...]

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Latest Action: 04/11/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity.

Bill Text
To amend section 12(c) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 to exempt residents of public housing who are determined by the Veterans Administration to be permanently and totally disabled from the requirement to perform community service.

1/11/2007--Introduced.

Disabled Veteran Housing Simplification Act of 2007 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to exempt from the community service requirement applicable to adult residents of a public housing project an individual who has been determined by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to be permanently and totally disabled, and who is unable to comply with such requirement, or is a primary caretaker of such individual.

Latest Action: 01/22/2007 - Committee on Finance. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Baucus. With written report No. 110-1. Additional views filed.

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An original bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide additional tax incentives to employers and employees of small businesses, and for other purposes. 1/22/2007--Reported to Senate without amendment, 1st committee reporting.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Small Business and Work Opportunity Act of 2007 - Title I: Small Business Tax Relief Provisions - Subtitle A: General Provisions - (Sec. 101) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2010 the increased expensing allowance for small business assets. (Sec. 102) Extends through March 2008 accelerated depreciation of qualified leasehold and restaurant improvement property. Revises the definition of "qualified restaurant property" to eliminate the requirement that improvements to restaurant property must be [...]

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Latest Action: 06/20/2007 - Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.

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A bill to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to enhance the COPS ON THE BEAT grant program, and for other purposes. 5/24/2007--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)COPS Improvements Act of 2007 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to expand the authority of the Attorney General to make grants for public safety and community policing programs (COPS ON THE BEAT or COPS program). Revises grant purposes to provide for: (1) the hiring or training of law enforcement officers for intelligence, antiterror, and homeland security duties; (2) the hiring of school resource officers; (3) school-based partnerships between local law enforcement agencies and local school systems to combat crime, gangs, drug activities, and other problems facing [...]

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Latest Action: 01/24/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1070-1071)

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A bill to provide pay protection for members of the Reserve and the National Guard, and for other purposes. 1/24/2007--Introduced. Helping Our Patriotic Employers at Helping Our Military Employees Act of 2007 or the HOPE at HOME Act of 2007- Entitles federal employees who are absent from their jobs for a period of more than 90 days for the purpose of performing active duty service in the uniformed services to receive the full amount of basic pay that they would have received if there had been no such interruption in their federal employment.Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow employers a business tax credit for 50 percent of the actual compensation paid to Ready Reserve-National Guard employees while on active duty or hospitalized incident to such duty; (2) allow employers a tax credit for wages paid to temporary employees hired to replace Ready Reserve-National Guard employees while on active duty; (3) provide for withholding of tax on differential wage [...]

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Latest Action: 11/02/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S13726)

Bill Text
A resolution encouraging all employers to target veterans for recruitment and to provide preference in hiring to qualified veterans.

11/2/2007--Introduced.

Urges all employers, private sector as well as state, county, and local government, to target veterans for recruitment and to afford qualified veterans hiring preference similar to the benefits provided with respect to federal civilian employment to preference eligibles.

Encourages the President to issue a proclamation in connection with Veterans Day, November 11, 2007, calling upon all employers to make a special effort to target veterans for recruitment and to provide preference in hiring for qualified veterans.

Latest Action: 11/08/2007 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S14232-14233; text as passed Senate: CR S14233; text of measure as introduced: CR S14202)

Bill Text
A resolution encouraging all employers to target veterans for recruitment and to provide preference in hiring to qualified veterans.

11/8/2007--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Urges all employers, private sector as well as state, county, and local government, to target veterans for recruitment and to afford qualified veterans hiring preference similar to the benefits provided with respect to federal civilian employment to preference eligibles.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 11/18/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1124 under authority of the order of the Senate of 11/17/2008.

Bill Text
Making supplemental appropriations for job creation and preservation, infrastructure investment, and economic and energy assistance for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 9/26/2008--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Job Creation and Unemployment Relief Act of 2008 - Title I: Infrastructure Investments - Chapter I: Transportation - Makes supplemental appropriations for FY2009 for infrastructure investments to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for: (1) the Federal Aviation Administration, grants-in-aid for airports; (2) Federal Highway Administration, highway infrastructure investment; (3) Federal Railroad Administration, capital and debt service grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK); (4) Federal Transit Administration,[...]

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Latest Action: 09/12/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8482-8498)

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A bill to amend the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to expand and improve opportunities for service, and for other purposes. 9/12/2008--Introduced. Serve America Act - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to create two new service-learning programs: (1) a Youth Engagement Zones to Strengthen Communities program, providing competitive grants to partnerships between local educational agencies that serve high-need, low-income communities and certain community-based or state entities to engage students and out-of-school youth in service-learning addressing specific challenges faced by their communities; and (2) a Campus of Service program, which annually grants up to 30 institutions of higher education (IHEs) with exemplary service-learning programs the funds to assist their students' pursuit of public service careers, and the right to nominate additional individuals for ServeAmerica Fellowships. Directs the Corporation for National and Community [...]

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Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

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A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the assignment of pre-stabilization disability ratings to certain veterans for purposes of the payment of disability compensation, and for other purposes. 7/31/2008--Introduced. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, with respect to veterans who have been discharged from active-duty service for 365 days or less and for whom a permanent disability rating is not immediately assignable, to assign a pre-stabilization disability rating of: (1) 100%, for a veteran with a severe disability for whom substantially gainful employment is not feasible or advisable; and (2) 50%, for a veteran with a wound or injury for whom material impairment of employability is likely. Terminates the pre-stabilization rating: (1) when a veteran receives a permanent disability rating based on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) schedule for rating disabilities; or (2) 365 days after the veteran's last separation or release from [...]

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Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7909-7910)

Bill Text
A bill to establish a commission on veterans and members of the Armed Forces with post traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or other mental health disorders, to enhance the capacity of mental health providers to assist such veterans and members, and for other purposes. 7/31/2008--Introduced. Healing Our Nation's Heroes Act of 2008 - Establishes a commission on veterans and members of the Armed Forces (members) with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), or other mental health disorders caused by military service. Requires the commission to: (1) oversee the monitoring and treatment of veterans and members with such disorders; and (2) conduct a study of the long-term adverse consequences of such disorders for such veterans and members. Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) to carry out a program, to be known as the Heroes-to-Healers Program, to assist veterans and members separating from service to: (1) obtain [...]

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Latest Action: 07/29/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the c

Bill Text
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to reform various programs and activities carried out under that Act. 7/29/2008--Introduced. Improving No Child Left Behind for All Students Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (the Act) to revise programs created or amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Allows states to revise their academic content and achievement standards so they are vertically aligned from grade to grade and with what students should know to be successful in postsecondary education and the workplace. Permits states to: (1) incorporate student academic growth into calculations of adequate yearly progress (AYP); (2) determine AYP for limited English proficient (LEP) students by excluding new arrivals and including former LEP students; and (3) use alternate academic achievement standards for disabled students. Requires local educational agencies' (LEAs) student achievement improvement plans [...]

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Latest Action: 09/04/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Bill Text
To ensure the fair treatment of a member of the Armed Forces who is discharged from the Armed Forces, at the request of the member, pursuant to the Department of Defense policy permitting the early discharge of a member who is the only surviving child in a family in which the father or mother, or one or more siblings, served in the Armed Forces and, because of hazards incident to such service, was killed, died as a result of wounds, accident, or disease, is in a captured or missing in action status, or is permanently disabled, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the dollar limitation on contributions to funeral trusts, and for other purposes. 8/29/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Hubbard Act - Amends federal employment, armed forces, military pay, and veterans' benefits law to authorize the provision [...]

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Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

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To amend title 38, United States Code, relating to equitable relief with respect to a State or private employer, and for other purposes. 7/31/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Improving SCRA and USERRA Protections Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Requires (current law authorizes) the appropriate U.S. district court to use its equity powers in any case in which the court determines it is appropriate, including injunctive relief, to fully vindicate a veteran's employment or reemployment rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) with respect to a state or private employer. (Sec. 3) Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) to require an institution of higher education, when a servicemember is ordered to military service and withdraws or takes a leave of absence from such institution, to: (1) provide a credit or refund to the servicemember of tuition and fees paid for the portion of the [...]

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Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Bill Text
To amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include in each contract the Secretary enters for the acquisition of goods and services a provision that requires the contractee to comply with the contracting goals and preferences for small business concerns owned or controlled by veterans, and for other purposes. 7/31/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Improving Veterans' Opportunity in Education and Business Act of 2008 - Requires that, if the Secretary of Veterans Affairs enters into a contract or other arrangement, on or after June 1, 2007, to acquire goods or services (or both), the Secretary shall include in such contract or arrangement a requirement that the contractee comply with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contracting goals and preferences with respect to small businesses owned and controlled by veterans and service-disabled veterans. Directs the Secretary to modify current contracts [...]

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Latest Action: 05/22/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4807)

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A resolution expressing the support of the Senate for veteran entrepreneurs.

5/22/2008--Introduced.

Reaffirms the strong support of the United States for its veterans and veteran entrepreneurs.

Calls on federal agencies to improve federal contracting opportunities for small businesses owned by service-disabled veterans.

Latest Action: 05/06/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3798)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand and enhance veterans' benefits, and for other purposes. 5/6/2008--Introduced. Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2008 - Revises or adds federal veterans' benefits provisions to, among other things: (1) reduce the waiting period for a veteran's affirmation of enrollment in a correspondence course; (2) eliminate the requirement that a veteran or beneficiary make a separate application for a program change at an educational institution; (3) eliminate a minimum wage-earning requirement in the case of self-employment on-job training; (4) authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to stay adjudication of a veteran's claim when necessary to preserve the integrity of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)-administered program; (5) authorize memorial headstones or markers for deceased remarried surviving spouses of veterans; (6) make permanent the VA authority to fund contracted medical disability examinations; (7) expand Servicemembers' [...]

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