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)

Bill Text
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.

Bill Text
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.

Bill Text
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)

Bill Text
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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Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3979)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to include Federally recognized tribal organizations in certain grant programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the several States and territories, and for other purposes. 5/8/2008--Introduced. Native American Veterans Access Act of 2008 - Provides for treatment of a health facility of a tribal organization as a state home for purposes of grant payments to such homes for veterans' domiciliary care, nursing home care, and hospital care. Exempts a health facility of a tribal organization from the prohibition against the Secretary of Veterans Affairs treating a new facility as a state home after September 30, 2009.Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to assist tribal organizations in constructing or acquiring facilities for furnishing domiciliary or nursing home care to veterans and in expanding, remodeling, or altering existing buildings for furnishing domiciliary care, nursing home care, adult day health care,[...]

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Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to facilitate emergency medical services personnel training and certification curriculums for military veterans.

5/8/2008--Introduced.

Veterans to Paramedics Transition Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) include among entities eligible for rural emergency medical service training and equipment grants entities that provide training for emergency medical services personnel, including institutions of higher education, technical colleges, community colleges, and other state-certified training entities; and (2) include among grant uses the provision of required coursework and training to enable military veterans to satisfy emergency medical services personnel certification requirements, as determined by the appropriate state regulatory entity.

Latest Action: 05/12/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To amend the Public Health Service Act to facilitate emergency medical services personnel training and certification curriculums for military veterans.

5/8/2008--Introduced.

Veterans to Paramedics Transition Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) include among entities eligible for rural emergency medical service training and equipment grants entities that provide training for emergency medical services personnel, including institutions of higher education, technical colleges, community colleges, and other state-certified training entities; and (2) include among grant uses the provision of required coursework and training to enable military veterans to satisfy emergency medical services personnel certification requirements, as determined by the appropriate state regulatory entity.

Latest Action: 05/01/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Bill Text
To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a returning soldiers' bill of rights. 5/1/2008--Introduced. Returning Soldiers' Bill of Rights Act - Entitles to basic educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill a member of the Armed Forces or reserves who, on or after September 11, 2001, serves at least six months of active duty in support of a contingency operation and, after completion of such duty, is discharged or released under honorable conditions or for a service-connected disability, preexisting medical condition, hardship, or certain physical or mental conditions. Entitles such individuals to 36 months of educational assistance. Allows such assistance to be used for: (1) pursuit of a program of education while on active duty; (2) programs of education pursued on a less-than-half-time basis; (3) apprenticeship or other on-job training; (4) correspondence courses; (5) flight training; (6) tutorial assistance; and (7) licensure or certification tests. [...]

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Latest Action: 04/28/2008 - Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship discharged by Unanimous Consent.

Bill Text
A resolution honoring the entrepreneurial spirit of the owners of small business concerns in the United States during National Small Business Week, beginning April 21, 2008. 4/28/2008--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.) Honors the entrepreneurial spirit of small business owners during National Small Business Week beginning April 21, 2008. Honors the efforts and achievements of small business owners and their employees. Recognizes that small businesses are essential to restoring the country's economic health. Recognizes the vital role of Small Business Administration (SBA) programs, employees, and resource partners in providing assistance to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Urges the President to ensure that: (1) reasonable rules relating to the federal contract procurement [...]

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Latest Action: 04/16/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Bill Text
A bill to amend titles 5, 10, 37, and 38, United States Code, 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, and for other purposes. 4/16/2008--Introduced. Hubbard Act - Amends federal employment, armed forces, military pay, and veterans' benefits law to authorize the provision of the following benefits to a member of the Armed Forces who is discharged at the member's request pursuant to a Department of Defense (DOD) policy permitting the early discharge of a member who is the only surviving child [...]

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Latest Action: 04/16/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to amend titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act to provide for treatment of disability rates and certified as total by reason of unemployability by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as disability for purposes of such titles, and for other purposes. 4/16/2008--Introduced. Benefit Rating Acceleration for Veteran Entitlements Act of 2008 - Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to treat as a disability for OASDI and SSI disability payment purposes any service-connected disability rated and certified by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as total by reason of unemployability, and expected to last at least one year. Applies the same treatment to related child's insurance and widow's and widower's insurance benefits. Makes medical findings by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of total service-connected disability by reason of unemployability conclusive [...]

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Latest Action: 04/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Bill Text
To amend titles 5, 10, 37, and 38, United States Code, 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, and for other purposes. 4/16/2008--Introduced. Hubbard Act - Amends federal employment, armed forces, military pay, and veterans' benefits law to authorize the provision of the following benefits to a member of the Armed Forces who is discharged at the member's request pursuant to a Department of Defense (DOD) policy permitting the early discharge of a member who is the only surviving child in a [...]

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Latest Action: 04/15/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3030-3031)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to include improvement in quality of life in the objectives of training and rehabilitation for veterans with service-connected disabilities, and for other purposes.

4/15/2008--Introduced.

Training and Rehabilitation for Disabled Veterans Enhancement Act of 2008 - Allows services and assistance for veterans with service-connected disabilities to include services necessary to improve a veteran's quality of life.

Entitles a veteran determined not capable of achieving a vocational goal to a program that improves such veteran's quality of life, in addition to other services currently provided. Directs (current law authorizes) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide programs of independent living services and assistance to such veterans.

Removes provisions limiting the initiation of programs of independent living services to no more than 2,500 veterans each fiscal year.

Latest Action: 04/15/2008 - Committee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to display in each prosthetic and orthotic clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs an Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights.

4/8/2008--Introduced.

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that an Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights is displayed prominently in each Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) prosthetic and orthotic clinic.

Includes in the Bill of Rights the right to: (1) access the highest quality prosthetic and orthotic care; (2) select the practitioner that best meets their prosthetic and orthotic needs; (3) timely and efficient prosthetic and orthotic care; and (4) transition and readjust to civilian life in an honorable manner, including by having ample access to vocational rehabilitation, employment programs, and housing assistance.

Latest Action: 04/30/2008 - Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Bill Text
To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the basic educational assistance program administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 4/2/2008--Introduced. Veterans Education Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance program for veterans to: (1) increase the rates of basic educational assistance and the time limit for entitlement to and use of such assistance; (2) provide a stipend for individuals using such assistance to pursue a program of education at an institution of higher learning; (3) extend the period for the collection of a fee for the use of such assistance; (4) authorize the use of such assistance for business courses and seminars, courses taken to prepare for licensing or certification tests, and the repayment of federal student loans; (5) allow for withdrawal of the election not to enroll in the program; (6) state that such assistance shall not reduce eligibility for other [...]

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