  The American Veteran's #1 Information Source Click here to make VA Watchdog dot Org your homepage HOUSE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS NEWS from Larry Scott at VA Watchdog dot Org -- 03-06-2009 |
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The American Veteran's #1 Information Source Click here to make VA Watchdog dot Org your homepage HOUSE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS NEWS from Larry Scott at VA Watchdog dot Org -- 03-06-2009 |
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DEMOCRATIC PRESS RELEASE March 6, 2009
------------------------- Veterans Groups Present Legislative Goals at Joint Hearing of House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees
Washington, D.C. - On Thursday, March 5, 2009, Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI) of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee held a joint hearing to receive the legislative presentation of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, Blinded Veterans Association, Gold Star Wives of America, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Wounded Warrior Project. The hearing was the second of the 111th Congress in which the Senate and House came together to receive the legislative agendas from veterans service organizations, as the Disabled American Veterans gave their legislative presentation on February 24, 2009. Leaders of the veterans service organizations raised concerns from the veterans community. Issues discussed at the hearing included fully funding the health care budget of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) one year in advance, decreasing the backlog of veterans claims, improving care for female veterans, advancing mental health services for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, proving additional support to veterans’ families and caregivers, and ensuring that veterans have viable opportunities for employment, education, and housing. Patrick Campbell, Chief Legislative Counsel of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, offered testimony urging the VA to prepare for the veterans coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan. Mr. Campbell stated, “Two years ago we began ‘surging’ troops into Iraq and Afghanistan. Our men and women in uniform continue to perform their duties overseas valiantly. We must repay that service by being prepared for the ‘surge home.’ More than half of the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans still serve on active duty and only one-third of those veterans who have separated have accessed the VA. As more service members are deployed each day, the pressure behind the dam is building.” “The Obama Administration has submitted an overview of the budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2010,” said Chairman Filner. “After sixteen years on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I am very encouraged that this outline is consistent with recommendations made by the veterans’ groups who co-author the Independent Budget. This has never happened in the 23-year history of the IB! Funding for veterans benefits and health care services is without question a top priority for this Congress and the Administration, and I believe it is a continuing cost of our national defense. The service and sacrifice of our veterans are real, and I am confident that the budget for health care will provide the realistic funding to meet the needs of our veterans.” The House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees have scheduled future joint hearings to receive legislative presentations from AMVETS, Fleet Reserve Association, The Retired Enlisted Association, Vietnam Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America, National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, Air Force Sergeants Association, Non Commissioned Officers Association, and Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Witness List: Panel 1 · Dr. Norman Jones, Ph.D., National President, Blinded Veterans Association · Dr. Charles A. Stenger, Ph.D., Legislative Consultant, American Ex-Prisoners of War · Kathy Upchurch, National President, Gold Star Wives of America · Patrick Campbell, Chief Legislative Counsel, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America · Ira Novoselsky, National Commander, Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America · Randy Pleva, National President, Paralyzed Veterans of America · Dawn Halfaker, Vice President, Board of Directors, Wounded Warrior Project Prepared testimony for the hearing and an audio recording of the hearing is available on the internet at this link: http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/hearing.aspx?NewsID=333. -------------------------
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