The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee passed measures Sept. 8 that would embellish employment, health-care, and spouse benefits, and help sexual-assault victims. The full House will consider the measures in the coming months, and refer those that pass to the Senate during the reconciliation process later in the current congressional term. The bills are:
H.R. 2433, which would strengthen veterans’ retraining and transition-assistance programs, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla.;
H.R. 2646, which would authorize construction and improvements at several medical treatment facilities operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, sponsored by Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio;
H.R. 2302, which would require the VA to notify Congress at least 180 days in advance of any VA-sponsored conferences attended by at least 20 individuals, sponsored by Rep. Marlin A. Stutzman, R-Ind.;
H.R. 2349, which would require the VA to monitor the skills of its claims processors and take appropriate remedial action when necessary, sponsored by Rep. Jon Runyan, R- N.J.;
H.R. 2074, which would require the VA to centralize and improve methods for tracking and treating sexual-assault cases, sponsored by Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle, R-N.Y.;
H.R. 1025, classifies any person as a veteran who has served long enough to qualify for reserve retirement pay, sponsored by Rep. Timothy J. Walz, D-Minn., and;
H.R. 1263, which would protect surviving spouses of veteran from mortgage problems, including foreclosures, in some cases, sponsored by Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif.