Operation Just Cause... ...for as long as it takes
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House passed H.R. 2280 Tuesday, the Veterans'
Benefits Improvement Act of 1999 providing a cost-of-living increase,
authority for the VA to plan four new national veterans' cemeteries, and
the
means to speed construction of the World War II Memorial.
Shortly after the 424-0 vote, Rep. Bob Stump (R-AZ), Chairman of the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, expressed satisfaction for both the
overwhelming vote and "the step we've taken toward keeping faith with
the
rapidly disappearing World War II veterans population."
Highlights of the bill include a cost-of-living adjustment estimated to
be
2.4 percent to the rates of disability compensation for veterans with
service-connected disabilities, and the rates of dependency and
indemnity
compensation (DIC) for the survivors of certain service-connected
disabled
veterans. These would take effect December 1, 1999.
Title II expands the fundraising authorities of the American Battle
Monuments Commission, moving it closer to construction of the World War
II
Memorial. It also directs the VA Secretary to obligate advance planning
funds next year for four new national veterans' cemeteries, and to
contract
for a comprehensive study of existing national cemeteries.
"We're losing more than a thousand World War II veterans a day," said
Chairman Stump, a U.S. Navy combat veteran of World War II's Pacific
Theater. "We should do everything we can to move the project so that as
many
participants as possible might enjoy it."
Title III would make members of Reserves and National Guard who served
at
least six years eligible for housing loans on a permanent basis. The
current
program expires in 2003. Title III also authorizes $100 million in
fiscal
years 2000 to 2004 for homeless veterans' programs administered by the
Department of Labor.
Title IV would encourage staggered retirement of the current judges of
the
U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, five of whom began service
within
11 months of each other. It would also bring their retirement and
survivor
annuity programs into line with those of other federal judges.
Provisions in
Title V would enhance the quality assurance program of the Veterans
Benefits
Administration, and require quality reviews at the Compensation and
Pension
Service, the Education Service, the Vocational Rehabilitation Service
and
other programs.
The House also passed House Joint Resolution 34, recognizing the 100th
Anniversary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. VFW
officials and members witnessed the vote from the House gallery.
Finally, the House passed H.R. 1568, the Veterans and Small Business
Development
Act, crafted by the House Small Business Committee. The bill's
provisions
would:
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