Veterans' Pensions And Compensation
US Congress 114th Congress
Combat-Injured Veterans Tax Fairness Act of 2016 [S.2712]
[Taxes ]
[Veterans ]
[Military ]
Combat-Injured Veterans Tax Fairness Act of 2016 This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to identify: certain severance payments to veterans with combat-related injuries paid after January 17, 1991, from which DOD withheld amounts for tax purposes, and the individuals to whom such severance payments were made. DOD shall provide each such veteran with: notice of the amount of improperly withheld severance payments, and instructions for filing amended tax returns to recover such amount. The period for filing a related claim with the Internal
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Sponsored by: Sen. Mark Warner
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Finance. on 03/17/2016
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Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2015 [S.271]
[Veterans ]
[Military ]
[Disabilities ]
Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2015 Allows the receipt of both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation with respect to any service-connected disability (under current law, only a disability rated at 50% or more). Makes eligible for the full concurrent receipt of both veterans' disability compensation and either military retired pay or combat-related special pay those individuals who were retired or separated from military service due to a service-connected disability.
Sponsored by: Sen. Ron Wyden
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Armed Services. (sponsor Introductory Remarks On Measure: Cr S545; Text Of Measure As Introduced: Cr S545-546) on 01/27/2015
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Charlie Morgan Military Spouses Equal Treatment Act of 2015 [S.270]
[Veterans ]
[Military ]
[Human Rights ]
[Family-Related Legislation ]
Charlie Morgan Military Spouses Equal Treatment Act of 2015 Revises the definition of "surviving spouse" for purposes of veterans benefits provisions to eliminate the requirement that the person who was the spouse of a veteran at the time of the veteran's death be a person of the opposite sex. Considers an individual to be a "spouse" if the marriage of the individual is considered valid under the laws of any state.
Sponsored by: Sen. Edward Markey
Committee On Veterans' Affairs. Hearings Held. on 05/13/2015
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Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 [S.2646]
[Healthcare ]
[Veterans ]
[Mental Health ]
[Transportation and Motor Vehicles ]
[Medicare and Medicaid ]
[Public Health ]
Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 This bill codifies, revises, and makes permanent the Veterans Choice Program (VCP) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VCP is enlarged to include additional health care providers that meet specified VA criteria. Veterans eligibility provisions are revised, including by: eliminating the August 1, 2014, deadline for enrollment in the VA patient enrollment system; requiring that a veteran does not live within 40 miles driving distance of a VA medical facility with a full-time primary care physician
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Sponsored by: Sen. Shelley Capito
Committee On Veterans' Affairs. Hearings Held. on 03/15/2016
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A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to permit veterans who have a service-connected, permanent disability rated as total to travel on military aircraft in the same manner and to the same extent as retired members of the Armed Forces entitled to such travel. [S.2596]
[Veterans ]
[Transportation and Motor Vehicles ]
[Military ]
[Disabilities ]
A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to permit veterans who have a service-connected, permanent disability rated as total to travel on military aircraft in the same manner and to the same extent as retired members of the Armed Forces entitled to such travel. This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide transportation on scheduled and unscheduled military flights within the continental United States and on scheduled overseas flights on a space-available basis for veterans with a service-connected, permanent disability rated
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Sponsored by: Sen. Jon Tester
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Armed Services. on 02/25/2016
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Medal of Honor Surviving Spouses Recognition Act of 2016 [S.2507]
[Veterans ]
[Military ]
[Pensions ]
Medal of Honor Surviving Spouses Recognition Act of 2016 This bill requires the payment of a Medal of Honor special pension to the surviving spouse of a deceased Medal of Honor recipient if that person was married to the recipient for: (1) at least one year; or (2) any period of time if a child was born of the marriage, or was born to them before the marriage. The special pension for a living Medal of Honor recipient is increased to $1,299.61 per month.
Sponsored by: Sen. Dan Sullivan
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Veterans' Affairs. on 02/04/2016
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Express Appeals Act of 2016 [S.2473]
[Veterans ]
Express Appeals Act of 2016 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) carry out a five-year pilot program to provide the option of an alternative appeals process to determine appeals of claims for disability compensation more quickly, and (2) inform claimants about such program. Appeals filed under the pilot program are described as "fully developed appeals." A claimant may elect to file a fully developed appeal by filing with the VA: (1) a notice of disagreement along with the claimant's written election to have the appeal
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Sponsored by: Sen. Robert Casey
Committee On Veterans' Affairs. Hearings Held. on 03/15/2016
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Make Student Grants Truly Tax-Free Act [S.2462]
[Student Loans ]
[Taxes ]
[Education ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
Make Student Grants Truly Tax-Free Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the tax exclusion for scholarships to include amounts received: (1) through a scholarship or fellowship grant program administered by the Secretary of Education that is based on financial need, including a Federal Pell Grant; (2) as an Iraq and Afghanistan Service grant under the Higher Education Act of 1965; or (3) as a TEACH Grant under the Higher Education Act of 1965.
Sponsored by: Sen. Jack Reed
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Finance. on 01/21/2016
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Military Family Relief Act of 2015 [S.241]
[Veterans ]
[Military ]
[Human Services ]
[Pensions ]
Military Family Relief Act of 2015 Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay temporary (not to exceed six months) dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) to the surviving spouse of a veteran if, at the time of death, the veteran was in receipt of or entitled to receive compensation for a service-connected disability rated as total for at least one year preceding the veteran's death. Authorizes the payment to such survivor, for the same period, of any veteran's pension that the deceased was receiving at the time of death, without
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Sponsored by: Sen. Dianne Feinstein
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Veterans' Affairs. on 01/22/2015
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A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the requirements for reissuance of veterans benefits in cases of misuse of benefits by certain fiduciaries to include misuse by all fiduciaries, and to improve oversight of fiduciaries, and for other purposes. [S.2316]
[Veterans ]
[Finance ]
[Law Enforcement ]
[Public Safety ]
[Human Services ]
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the requirements for reissuance of veterans benefits in cases of misuse of benefits by certain fiduciaries to include misuse by all fiduciaries, and to improve oversight of fiduciaries, and for other purposes. This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reissue veterans benefits to a beneficiary in all cases of fiduciary misuse. The VA shall pay the beneficiary or the successor fiduciary an amount equal to the misused benefits. VA access to fiduciary-held financial accounts
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Sponsored by: Sen. Richard Blumenthal
Committee On Veterans' Affairs. Hearings Held. on 06/29/2016
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SAVE Benefits Act Seniors And Veterans Emergency Benefits Act [S.2251]
[Senior Citizens ]
[Veterans ]
[Social Security ]
[Taxes ]
[Budget and Spending ]
[Medicare and Medicaid ]
[Retirement ]
SAVE Benefits Act Seniors And Veterans Emergency Benefits Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to disburse a payment equal to 3.9% of the average amount of annual benefits to certain individuals (except prisoners, fugitive felons, or aliens) who are entitled to a specified benefit under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA), an annuity under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, a veterans benefit, or are eligible for a cash benefit under SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security
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Sponsored by: Sen. Robert Casey
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Finance. on 11/05/2015
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A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend authorities for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to expand presumption of service connection for compensation for diseases the Secretary determines are associated with exposure to herbicide agents, and for other purposes. [S.2081]
[Veterans ]
[Healthcare ]
[Public Health ]
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend authorities for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to expand presumption of service connection for compensation for diseases the Secretary determines are associated with exposure to herbicide agents, and for other purposes. This bill extends for five years the Department of Veterans Affairs presumption of service connection for diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicides, including Agent Orange, with respect to veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962,
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Sponsored by: Sen. Richard Blumenthal
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Veterans' Affairs. on 09/25/2015
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A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the amount of special pension for Medal of Honor recipients, and for other purposes. [S.2022]
[Veterans ]
[Pensions ]
[Military ]
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the amount of special pension for Medal of Honor recipients, and for other purposes. This bill increases the special monthly pension for living Medal of Honor recipients. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) shall not make an annual pension increase for such recipients, effective December 1, 2016, if the increased monthly pension under this Act takes effect before such date. If the VA does not make the December 1, 2016 increase, however, annual increases shall resume as of December 1,
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Sponsored by: Sen. Edward Markey
Committee On Veterans' Affairs. Hearings Held. on 10/06/2015
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Alaska Native Veterans Land Allotment Equity Act [S.1955]
[Veterans ]
[Public Lands and National Parks ]
[Native American Affairs ]
[Real Estate ]
Alaska Native Veterans Land Allotment Equity Act Amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) to declare that any allotment application pending before the Department of the Interior on December 18, 1971, that was closed by the Department pursuant to the civil action Shields v. United States shall be reopened and considered to be approved. Revises requirements for the eligibility of Alaska Native Vietnam veterans for an allotment. Extends eligibility for allotments to veterans who served between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975. Allows eligible
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Sponsored by: Sen. Dan Sullivan
Committee On Energy And Natural Resources Subcommittee On Public Lands, Forests, And Mining. Hearings Held. on 10/08/2015
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Connect with Veterans Act of 2015 [S.1797]
[Veterans ]
[National Security ]
[Military ]
[Data Privacy ]
[Technology and Innovation ]
[Cybersecurity ]
[Labor, Jobs, Employment ]
[Human Services ]
Connect with Veterans Act of 2015 Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a program to facilitate VA outreach to veterans, primary state agencies for the administration of veterans' benefits and services, political subdivisions of states, and Indian tribes. Requires the VA, to carry out such program, to: (1) establish a national veterans directory, and (2) share directory information with any such entities from which a participating individual has expressed interest in receiving information. Prohibits: (1) the VA from selling
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Sponsored by: Sen. Angus King
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Veterans' Affairs. (sponsor Introductory Remarks On Measure: Cr S5163-5165) on 07/16/2015
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World War II Merchant Mariner Service Act [S.1775]
[Veterans ]
[Military ]
[Human Services ]
[Social Security ]
World War II Merchant Mariner Service Act Requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to accept additional documentation for verifying that an individual performed honorable service as a coastwise merchant seaman during the period beginning on December 7, 1941, and ending on December 31, 1946, for purposes of eligibility for veterans' benefits under the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977. Requires such documentation to include Social Security Administration records and validated testimony in the case of the absence of Coast Guard shipping or
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Sponsored by: Sen. Susan Collins
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Veterans' Affairs. on 07/15/2015
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Control Unlawful Fugitive Felons Act of 2015 [S.1758]
[Crime ]
[Social Security ]
[Veterans ]
[Criminal Justice ]
[Public Safety ]
Control Unlawful Fugitive Felons Act of 2015 Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance), VIII (Special Benefits for Certain World War II Veterans), and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act to prohibit from receiving benefits under those titles any individual who is the subject of: (1) an outstanding arrest warrant for a felony, or (2) an outstanding arrest warrant for violating a condition of prohibition or parole imposed under federal or state law. Directs the Social Security Administration (SSA) to
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Sponsored by: Sen. Daniel Coats
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Finance. (sponsor Introductory Remarks On Measure: Cr S5153-5154) on 07/14/2015
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A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to make permanent the temporary increase in number of judges presiding over the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and for other purposes. [S.1754]
[Veterans ]
[Law Enforcement ]
[Military ]
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to make permanent the temporary increase in number of judges presiding over the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and for other purposes. This bills makes permanent the maximum number of judges presiding over the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to nine judges.
Sponsored by: Sen. Richard Blumenthal
Committee On Veterans' Affairs. Hearings Held. on 10/06/2015
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American Opportunity Carbon Fee Act of 2015 [S.1548]
[Energy ]
[Taxes ]
[Climate Change ]
[Budget and Spending ]
[Labor, Jobs, Employment ]
[Social Security ]
[Veterans ]
[Disabilities ]
[Grants ]
American Opportunity Carbon Fee Act of 2015 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose fees on: (1) fossil fuel products producing carbon dioxide emissions, including coal, petroleum products, and natural gas; (2) fluorinated greenhouse gases; (3) emissions of any greenhouse gas from any greenhouse gas emissions source; and (4) methane emissions. Directs the Department of the Treasury to: (1) establish, implement, and report on a program to collect data on methane emissions by major non-natural sources, including emissions attributable to the extraction
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Sponsored by: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Finance. (sponsor Introductory Remarks On Measure: Cr S4031-4033) on 06/10/2015
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Second Chance Reauthorization Act [S.1513]
[Crime ]
[Criminal Justice ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
[Public Safety ]
Second Chance Reauthorization Act Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to revise and expand requirements for the Department of Justice (DOJ) grant program for adult and juvenile offender state and local reentry demonstration projects, including for planning and implementation and for promotion of employment opportunities, and to extend the program through FY2020. Sets forth criteria and priority considerations for DOJ to use in awarding grants. Amends the Second Chance Act of 2007 to extend through FY2020 the authorization
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Sponsored by: Sen. Cory Booker
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On The Judiciary. on 06/04/2015